Love is Beautiful: 1 Samuel Chapter 1
Summary of 1 Samuel 1
In our blog through the Bible we have come to the book of 1 Samuel.
Here is a little history on Samuel:
Samuel is a story of Narrative History and includes a great deal of Drama. It is written by the last of the Judges for which the book is named, Samuel. It was written at about 930 B.C. Key personalities include Eli, Hannah, Samuel, Saul, Jonathan, and David. It was written to show Israel how they chose a king but in the process, they blatantly neglected and abandoned God.
Summary of 1 Samuel chapter 1:
In chapter one we meet a man named Elkanah who has 2 wives, they are named Peninnah and Hannah. Peninnah has kids but Hannah has not been able to get pregnant. This goes on for many years. Peninnah proves to be cruel in nature, rubbing the her ability to have children in Hannah's face. This causes Hannah to become completely depressed (verses 1-6).
Elkanah shows a deep love and compassion for Hannah, however it is not mentioned how he feels about Peninnah. He even says to Hannah: "don't be so sad, am I not more than 5 sons to you?"
SIDE NOTE: I have to wonder if Peninnah was mean to Hannah because Elkanah obviously has a greater love for Hannah than Peninah.
Elkanah and his family go to a place called Shiloh to worship God. While there Hannah prays and asks God for a child. She tells God that if he will give her a child she will give the child back to the God as Nazarine (verses 7-17)A Nazarite means he will be devoted to God, not cut his hair, eat anything unclean or drink wine.
After speaking to God and receiving a blessing from Eli the priest she leaves encouraged. God grants her a child and she names him Samuel (verses 18-20)
When Samuel is weaned (probably around age 5 by Jewish customs) she being Samuel to the serve in the temple with Eli true to her word (verses 21-28).
What I learned from 1 Samuel:
- Being ugly to people because you have been blessed is, well, ugly. Love is beautiful and draws people to you.
- God hears prayer, even if it sometimes seems like he doesn't.
- When people are cruel to you, you can, and should turn to God.
- Our children are in God's hands even if they are not with us. God will prepare their path and be with them.
- We can't always see the big plan, God can be trusted.
Hope Wirta
READ 1 Samuel 1:
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