1 Samuel 1
Samuel is an important figure in the Bible - he marks the end of the period of the Judges and is the first of the prophets and kingmaker.
Samuel's family seem to be religiously observant in that they went to the tabernacle every year to offer sacrifices. His father Elkanah had 2 wives Peninnah and the other was called Hannah (Hannah was Samuel's mother). When the story starts Hannah has not been able to concieve but Peninnah had a number of children, which she used to provoke Hannah (who appeared to be Elkanah's favourite.
Every year Peninnah would wind Hanna up until she could not eat or bear to be in company.
This year Hannah took herself off to the tabernacle and in her distress she prayed to God for a son, and if he givers her a son she will dedicate him to Gods service.
Eli the priest was keeping an eye on things and saw Hannah praying but could not hear any words and moves to prevent a drunk woman from making a scene. Hannah explained that she was pouring her heart out in distress and Eli the priest sends her off with a blessing that may God grant her request.
Back home, Hannah becomes pregnant and had a son, Samuel.
Next year the rest of the family went to the Tabernacle to worship and Hannah stayed behind until Samuel was weaned. The following year she went with the family along with a bull, flour and a skin of wine as an offering along with young Samuel.
She reminded Eli of the woman he thought was drunk and presented Samuel to the service of God.
The character of Hannah - she disappears from the story very quickly is quite remarkable. After giving Samuel to God she has 5 other children.
That Hannah was able to give up the one thing that rescued her from taunting within the house, somebody she had been desperate for years to give birth to, and give him to the service of God, and a priest she probably did not know well. Not from desperation, but from gratitude to God is remarkable.
Samuel is an important figure in the Bible - he marks the end of the period of the Judges and is the first of the prophets and kingmaker.
Samuel's family seem to be religiously observant in that they went to the tabernacle every year to offer sacrifices. His father Elkanah had 2 wives Peninnah and the other was called Hannah (Hannah was Samuel's mother). When the story starts Hannah has not been able to concieve but Peninnah had a number of children, which she used to provoke Hannah (who appeared to be Elkanah's favourite.
Every year Peninnah would wind Hanna up until she could not eat or bear to be in company.
This year Hannah took herself off to the tabernacle and in her distress she prayed to God for a son, and if he givers her a son she will dedicate him to Gods service.
Eli the priest was keeping an eye on things and saw Hannah praying but could not hear any words and moves to prevent a drunk woman from making a scene. Hannah explained that she was pouring her heart out in distress and Eli the priest sends her off with a blessing that may God grant her request.
Back home, Hannah becomes pregnant and had a son, Samuel.
Next year the rest of the family went to the Tabernacle to worship and Hannah stayed behind until Samuel was weaned. The following year she went with the family along with a bull, flour and a skin of wine as an offering along with young Samuel.
She reminded Eli of the woman he thought was drunk and presented Samuel to the service of God.
The character of Hannah - she disappears from the story very quickly is quite remarkable. After giving Samuel to God she has 5 other children.
That Hannah was able to give up the one thing that rescued her from taunting within the house, somebody she had been desperate for years to give birth to, and give him to the service of God, and a priest she probably did not know well. Not from desperation, but from gratitude to God is remarkable.
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