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March 19 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 78

With the start of a new book, we have a great Bible Project video to describe what 1 Samuel is all about.





DAILY READINGS

1 Samuel 1-3 & Psalm 78

DAILY NOTES

1 Samuel 1:6-7

  • A barren woman carried shame, and probably guilt.  The rivalry between Elkanah's wives seems based on his greater love for Hannah; Peninnah "provokes" Hannah, because of her barrenness.  
1 Samuel 1:11
  • Hannah makes a vow to God that if she has a son she will give him to God.  What if she had a daughter?
  • He will live as a nazarite.  Remember Samson?
1 Samuel 1:12-18
  • The priest Eli sees Hannah praying and thinks she is drunk.  What might that say about the way she was praying?  What might that say about him?
  • Hannah has been pouring out her soul.  What a way to pray!
  • Eli gives her a blessing, that her prayer would be granted.  Did he know what the prayer was?
1 Samuel 2:1-10
  • Hannah's prayer after leaving Samuel.
1 Samuel 2:11-17
  • Eli's sons are introduced.  Not only are we to know about Eli's sons and the wickedness that Eli allowed to happen, this is also the scenario in which Samuel will first show himself as a prophet of God.
1 Samuel 2:27-36
  • Eli is told the prophecy by a "man of God."  Is this a prophet?  Some have said it was Elkanah (Sameul's father).
1 Samuel 3
  • This chapter tells of Samuel's calling.
  • Since "the world of the Lord was rare," and "visions were not widespread," it could be that is why it took Eli three times before recognizing that Samuel might be hearing from God.
  • Notice that God doesn't speak to Samuel, other than calling his name, until Samuel says, "Speak, for your servant is listening."  Also, there is no recorded response of Samuel.
    • Imagine what he is thinking as he "lay there until morning" (1 Samuel 3:15).
  • Eli does not question Samuel's word.
Psalm 78
  • Consider this psalm an Israelite history lesson!
  • Still, it was written to merely repeat history; it was written to remind us of God's care and compassion even in light of Israel's unfaithfulness.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

What a great string of 3 chapters today!  

There are so many parts I would love to talk more about: Elkanah's commitment, and the idea that he brought a prophecy against Eli's house; the rivalry between the two wives and how it seems to just end after Samuel is born; can we call Hannah depressed?  Hannah's act of prayer and the vow she made; how Hannah (and Elkanah, for that matter) was able to leave Samuel with Eli to serve under him; Hannah's prayer (she prayed before and after Samuel's birth); how the sin of Eli's son affected other people; why was it the "will of the Lord" to kill Eli's sons; how God accuses Eli of honoring his sons more than honoring God; how the word of the Lord was rare; Samuel served under Eli but "did not know the Lord"; Eli's response to Samuel's word.

Which part do you want to talk about?

Stay blessed...john

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