PM April 3rd 1 Samuel 1

April 3^rd             1 Samuel 1        A. Samuel – Gods Prophet        Samuel’s Birth

1: Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: 2: And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3: And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there. 4: And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: 5: But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. 6: And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. 7: And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. 8: Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons? 9: So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. 10: And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. 11: And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head. 12: And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. 13: Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 14: And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 15: And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 16: Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. 17: Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 18: And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. 19: And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. 20: Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. 21: And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. 22: But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever. 23: And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him. 24: And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young. 25: And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. 26: And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. 27: For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 28: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

1 Samuel 2        Hannah’s Prayer

1: And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. 2: There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 3: Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4: The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. 5: They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. 6: The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 7: The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. 8: He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them. 9: He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. 10: The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. 11: And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.

Eli’s corrupt sons

12: Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. 13: And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand; 14: And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither. 15: Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw. 16: And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force. 17: Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD. 18: But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. 19: Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20: And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home. 21: And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD. 22: Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 23: And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. 24: Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD's people to transgress. 25: If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them. 26: And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men. 27: And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? 28: And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? 29: Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? 30: Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 31: Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house. 32: And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever. 33: And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age. 34: And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them. 35: And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever. 36: And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.

1 Samuel 3        Samuel’s call

1: And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 2: And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; 3: And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; 4: That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. 5: And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. 6: And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. 7: Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. 8: And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. 9: Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10: And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. 11: And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. 12: In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. 13: For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. 14: And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. 15: And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. 16: Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. 17: And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. 18: And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. 19: And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 20: And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. 21: And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

1 Samuel 4        The Ark taken by the Philistines

1: And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. 2: And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men. 3: And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. 4: So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5: And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. 6: And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp. 7: And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore. 8: Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. 9: Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight. 10: And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. 11: And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.

Eli dies

12: And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head. 13: And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out. 14: And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli. 15: Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see. 16: And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son? 17: And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. 18: And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. 19: And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her. 20: And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it. 21: And she named the child I-chabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. 22: And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.

1 Samuel 5        The Philistines troubled by - Ark

1: And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben-ezer unto Ashdod. 2: When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. 3: And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. 4: And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. 5: Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day. 6: But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof. 7: And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god. 8: They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither. 9: And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts. 10: Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people. 11: So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. 12: And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

Today we begin Bible readings in the book of Samuel. This book is about Samuel, Saul and David and was written by Samuel with Nathan and Gad. The book of Samuel records the transition from Theocracy to Monarchy. The two books of Samuel were counted as one book in the Hebrew Bible. They were the first two of four books of ‘Kings’ in the Latin Vulgate. The First Book of Samuel opens with prayer and The Second Book of Samuel closes with prayer. The book describes the rise of the Prophetic ministry. The prophets were God’s spokes-men. Previously people went to the Priest for guidance.

1 Samuel 10:25 ‘Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.’

Hosea 13v11 ‘I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath’.

In the first three chapters we have Hannah’s trouble and Hannah’s Prayer, Eli’s corrupt sons and Samuel’s call. The book opens with the sad case of a young woman whose womb is barren. Israel is in a state of rebellion and the result is the judgment of God yet one woman is determined to bring her fruitlessness before the LORD. Elkanah has two wives, one is barren and one has sons. (This story is reminiscent of Jacob) The blessing of God is not going to come to Israel by natural means but by the divine intervention of the Lord and that by answer to prayer. This is where revival begins. Hannah suffered from her husband’s other wife yet her husband loved her and treated her well. Hannah turned to the LORD. The prayer of Hannah is something that will be of great interest to any godly person is is a prayer of desperation. She was a remarkable woman and she wanted a man of God to turn the nation back to the Lord their God. She promised to keep him holy while he was young and she promised that she would dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life. Eli the old priest was not a good man in that he was completely unable to discipline his sons and when he saw Hannah praying he could not differentiate between a woman at prayer and a woman drunk. Eli however faithfully rebuked her even though his discernment was incorrect. Hannah explained herself and received his blessing. This was a word from the LORD and Hannah believed the LORD and went home with peace in her heart. She soon found herself pregnant. She called the child Samuel because he was an answer to prayer. Hannah did not go to the temple until the boy was weaned but then she promised that he would be given to the LORD forever. When the boy was weaned she took bullocks and flour to make sacrifice and took her boy to give him to the LORD’s service. She placed him in the care of the old man Eli. Then Hannah prayed again and what a prayer it was. It is an act of worship, full of joy and devotion to the Lord. Her prayer is all about the joy of knowing the LORD and the wonders of the LORD.

My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD:
my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee:
neither is there any rock like our God.
Talk no more so exceeding proudly;
let not arrogancy come out of your mouth:
for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty men are broken,
and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
They that were full have hired out themselves for bread;
and they that were hungry ceased:
so that the barren hath born seven;
and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
The LORD killeth, and maketh alive:
he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich:
he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust,
and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill,
to set them among princes,
and to make them inherit the throne of glory:
for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's,
and he hath set the world upon them.
He will keep the feet of his saints,
and the wicked shall be silent in darkness;
for by strength shall no man prevail.
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces;
out of heaven shall he thunder upon them:
the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth;
and he shall give strength unto his king,
and exalt the horn of his anointed.

Samuel served the LORD in the Tabernacle with Eli the priest. Then we are introduced to the sons of Eli. They were very evil before the Lord. They didn’t know the Lord and they took the part of the sacrifice that was reserved by the Lord. They despised the offerings of the LORD. Once a year his mother visited him and brought his a coat. No doubt she made each coat bigger each year on the presumption that he grew. Eli blessed Hannah and Elkanah saying my you have other children – that year Hannah became pregnant and in the end she had three sons and two daughters. Eli was getting old and he knew that they lay with the woman who hung about at the temple. Eli rebuked them but they took no notice of him. Samuel grew and both men and God was pleased with him. A man of God was sent to Eli with a warning of judgment. He said none of your men will see old age they will all die young. (One of the judgments of the Mosaic Covenant) The LORD said you will die on the same day that your sons die and l will raise up a priest who will serve me with a whole heart. He will build the Lords house and walk before the LORD forever. Next we have the oft told story of the call of Samuel. Suffice to say that the boy was still young and the LORD tested Samuel to see if he was able to bring the message of God to his mentor and guardian. The message to Samuel was dire he told him that the blame for the behaviour of Eli's sons was laid at Eli's door. He did not discipline them. In the end Samuel told all what the LORD had said to him and as a result the LORD was with him. Everyone knew that Samuel was destined to be the prophet of the Lord. The next incident is shocking. The ark of the covenant was captured by the Philistines yet they found it was a curse to them. Eli's sons were killed by the Philistines and When Eli heard the news he died too. He was 98 years of age and fat and he fell backward and broke his neck. He had judged Israel for 40 years. The wife of Phinehas was with child and when she heard the news she gave birth to a boy who she named I-chabod, because she said the glory of the LORD is departed in Israel.