I Samuel 2 - Hannah's Song and Eli's Sons

I Samuel 2

The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;

And He will give strength to His king,

And will exalt the horn of His anointed. - verse 10

Message: Hannah's Song and Eli's Sons

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: Samuel is born with Hannah dedicating him to the Lord. Chapter 2 opens with Hannah's son, her prayer is an anthem of praise to God for the great God that He is and how He cares for his people and acts for them. He is sovereign and Lord of all. He is there for the poor and needy, "raises the poor from the dust, lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with nobles and inherit a seat of honor" (verse 8). 

Elkanah returns home to Ramah (v. 11) while Samuel stays with Eli at Shiloh. In verses 12-18 the sons of Eli are mentioned - Hophni and Phinehas (1:3), priests to the Lord and yet "worthless men; they did not know the Lord" (v. 12). Verse 13-17 describe their unjust ways. Rather than taking the fat of the offering from the worshipper and offering it to be burned on the altar of Jehovah (Leviticus 3:3-5) as a soothing aroma before the Lord, they instead took the fat themselves (v.16) showing they "despised the offering of the Lord" (v. 17). 

Hannah is given 3 more sons in birth and two daughters (v. 21) for her comfort and enjoyment, beyond Samuel who is dedicated to the Lord. 

Meanwhile the sons of Eli mistreat the women that are there to serve at the tabernacle (v.22). There is the contrast mentioned here between the unwholesome ways of Eli's sons and Samuel "growing in stature and in favor both with the Lord and with men" (v. 26). 

In verse 27, "a man of God came to Eli." The term “man of God” we find applied to Moses and to different prophets some forty or more times in the Books of Judges, Samuel, and Kings (Ellicott's Commentary). This signifies the way in which God intercedes and speaks to certain people and has come to this man and therefore the man is expected to pass that along to his children. God "chose them from all of the tribes of Israel (v. 28)." This man of God pronounces a judgment of sort on Eli based upon the actions and irreverence of his sons and instead of the sons, he will raise a faithful priest (v. 35). 

Summary: Hannah praises God and then there is the contrast of Eli's sons who are worthless and do not follow the Lord compared to Samuel that is dedicated to the Lord for service. 

Promise: We need to always be serious about our following of the Lord and not ever grow complacent.

Prayer: God, you are sovereign and Lord. Thank you for calling Your people. May we always be faithful in following You and honoring You with our lives. And may I return to You praise and thanksgiving for all that you have done for me. Draw people to yourself. Call people to love and honor You always. I praise Your name. Thank for you for saving me.  

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