1 Samuel 1

When I read the Old Testament, I read for Identification as much as I do for Information. Put yourself in the story. Am I like Hannah? Or Peninnah? What would it be like if I were more like Eli? How did Samuel feel? Have I ever felt like Samuel? I try to put myself in the place of the characters in the story and see if I am having or have had experiences, feelings and thoughts like they had.

Vv. 6-7. I wonder if Hannah was Elkanah’s first wife and since she could not perform her primary duty as a wife (give him and heir) he took a 2^nd wife. I bet she felt almost worthless. The greatest gift that she could give to her husband was beyond her ability and here this other woman did it and rubbed her face in it. Sometimes I feel almost worthless, do you? And then here comes Satan, in the form of other’s taunts, societal standards, and my own voice in my head tormenting me, reminding me that I am not good enough. What thoughts of worthlessness do you have? Where do you see yourself continually falling short of your (or God’s) goals? Does God not hear my please for help? Satan piles on any way he can, burying us in doubts, fears, feeling of inadequacy. How do we break out of this self-defeatism, self-deprecation? (See questions 4 – 6)

Or am I sometimes more like Peninnah? Do I provoke others, using subtle put-downs in order to make myself look or feel superior?

v. 17. We agree with others in prayer for starters. Would God have answered Hannah’s prayer if Eli had not blessed it? I don’t know. But perhaps, as God’s agents and ministers here on earth at this time, we should be continually asking each other to prayer with us, we should continually, be adding our blessing to what others are praying for. We should be agreeing with each other, holding each other up. (See question 9)

v. 27. Shouldn’t we offer back to God all that He has given us? I remember dedicating Sean to God when He was born and I meant every bit of it. Barb and I wanted a son and I really thought I would never have kids. When we dedicated him, I really meant that this boy was God’s. That it was a privilege to raise him and love him but he belongs to God and I want, really want, whatever God has for him. Do we miss out on God’s best blessings because we hold tightly to our earthly blessings? Our hearts are so concerned with preserving what we have that we cannot receive more form God. Is there something I will not give back to God? Is my desire to have control over my family, finances, career, sexuality, ministry, etc, getting in the way of God’s blessings? What would be different if I gave back to him the most precious blessing He has given me? How do I give these things back to God? What does that offering look like?

What was it like for Samuel to be left by his mother with this strange old priest? Fear? Confusion? Hurt? Haven’t we done things for our kids that may have hurt or left them confused for a time, but later they understood it was for their benefit? Sean has a boot on his foot because of a fracture. He hates it, but it is for his good. He knows that, but he is not very thankful for it – yet. Has God done things like this to us / for us?