I Samuel 2:1-11 | Lesson # 3 | Hannah's Song of Praises

                                                            I SAMUEL        Lesson # 3

                                                            I Samuel 2:1-11

                                                Hannah's Song of Praises

 

I.  Greetings:

 

II.  Introduction;

            Note:  For those of you who are new, we want you to know that we have been studying about a young woman named Hannah.  We have been reading about her choice to give up the center of her earthly joy:  namely her son, Samuel.

            Note:  If new people are present, have someone in the room recount the story:  the need of Hannah, her prayer/vow, and her decision to give the child to the temple in accordance with her vow.

            Note:  It is at the temple where she has delivered the "light of her life" that she prays I Samuel 2:1-10.

 

III.  Hannah's Song Praises:  I Samuel 2:1-11.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 2:1-2.

            Q In I Samuel 2:1 what three things does she claim she is doing?

               An = Her heart is exalting, her horn is exalted, and she is confidently confronting her enemies.   Actually, "horn" opens the song (2:1) and closes it (2:10).  It opens with her "raised horn" and concludes with that of the messiah!  Brueggemann, pp.16-17

            Q How can someone be so "up" and confident when they have given up a key asset to their happiness?

               An = Let them give their answers and then explain the reason for her "joy" and "confidence" is given in the last line of verse 2.  "There is joy in God's salvation".

            Q What does "joy in God's salvation mean?"

>>>> Re-read I Samuel 2:2.

            Q What does this verse mean?

               An = It is a description of God's attributes.  It is a hymn.  For that is what a hymn is, a celebration of the glories attributes and character of God.

            Q Why is she praising God?

               An = It is not because life is easy or God has given gifts, but because God is to be praised.  She has given to God in a committed way.  Therefore she has come into submission and so joy and praise are the natural result:  a foretaste of heaven.  Once you have tasted of what she now knows you will understand her song.

            Q What does she praise God about?

               An = He is holy, incomparable, and an incomparable rock.

            Q Why is God incomparable?     

               An = It is only the God of Israel that has all power to act and the willingness to do so.  He can change or reverse anything and He wills to do so.  All power serving the weak, or as Hannah says, He is not friendly to arrogance but rather such qualities that one must sing of them.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 2:3.

            Q Why should one not be arrogant?

               An = God is intelligent:  He knows all (and you are not going to impress Him with your puny knowledge).  He perceives the worth of our actions:  He weighs our actions.

            Q How does Hannah perceive God?  Does she like God?

 

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 2:4-8.

            Q What theme do all these verses have in common?

               An = The theme of reversal: 

4:   reversal of strength.

5a:  reversal of hunger.

5b:  reversal of reproduction.

6:   reversal of life.

7a:  reversal of wealth.

7b:  reversal of position.

            Note:  Verse 8 is not a stress on reversal but a stress on "raising".

            Q Who is raised?

               An = The poor and the needy.

            Q Why is this part of Hannah's song?

               An = poor and needy must refer to more than monetary issues.  She was poor psychologically, positional, etc.

            Q Is this true today?

            Note:  The reason God can both raise the needy and reverse the fortunes of human being is found in I Samuel 8b.  He controls the very basis (foundation) of life itself.  It is quite within His purview to change anything.  As Brueggemann says, "The hope of the poor and weak is rooted in the foundational power of the creator". ... "The poem thus links the majesty of Yahweh's sovereignty over creation with the hope of the marginal". p. 19.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 2:9-11.

            Q What is the key agenda or key idea of 2:9?

               An = God is concerned with morality.  This is a basic biblical truth:  ultimate power and justice are wed in God.

            Q According to I Samuel 2:10 is it wise to fight against God?

            Q How does one contend with, or oppose God?

               An = 1) One could do this by not helping to raise the needy or lowly both spiritually and physically.  2)  To be immoral or wicked.  Brueggemann (p. 20) adds the thought that the "wicked are those who rely on their own strength--people like Penninnah or the Philistines.  Against the judging, ruling power of Yahweh, arrogant human strength cannot prevail."

            Q How do you understand 2:10b?

               An = It stresses God actions of judgment and then helping His chosen leaders.  He will strengthen and exalt them.  He will help those who lead and bless His people.  So God is described in 2:2-10a and then the fact that He will help leadership, those who are His anointed.  Brueggemann reminds us that "The poem, moreover, articulates the criteria by which subsequent kings are to be evaluated (p. 20).  It begins with her "horn" being exalted and ends going beyond her horizon to that of the "king" and perhaps the messiah (p.20).  Our experience of salvation helps us see the larger and greater picture.  Our personal salvation is not just for us alone but we are part of the greater issue that will result in the blessings of others.  Our horn must eventually point to the horn of the king.

 

III.  Hannah's N.T. Counterpart.  Luke 1:46-55.

            Q What New Testament mother also sung a song very similar to this one?

               An = Mary, the mother of Jesus.

>>>> Have someone read Luke 1:46-55.

            Q What themes are similar?

               An = 1)  joy.  2)  God's care for exalting the lowly, 3) against arrogance, 4) the theme of reversal.

            Q To what does Luke 1:54-55 correspond to in I Samuel 2:1-10?  What verses do these two verses match to since all the others seem to parallel some aspect of I Samuel 2:1-10?

               An =  I believe it is the exalting, strengthening of leaders in 2:10.  Remember the reason for helping leaders is not for their egos but for the blessing of the "people" of God.  She begins with her good fortune and ends with the blessing of the larger community.  All biblical blessing does this.  People grow spiritually when they realize that God wishes not only to save them but to make them part of His great service to the world.

            Q Did these two women have a high view of God?

            Q How did they arrive at such a viewpoint?

               An = Commitment (keeping vows) and risk.  Hannah risked her happiness in the form of her having children and Mary risked in the form of marriage and her respectability.

            Q  Can we have such joy and knowledge of God without risk?

                                                                        

I Samuel 1:21-1:28 | Lesson # 2 | Promises and Gifts

                                                            I SAMUEL                           Lesson # 2

                                                            I Samuel 1:21-1:28

                                                      Promises and Gifts

 

I.  Greetings:  I recently had a letter and a phone call on the same day from two young but committed Christians.  The one asked how one could develop and maintain health friendships in their life.  The other asked how does one actually draw closer to God and let Him satisfy our deepest longing.  How could one answer satisfy both questions?  The answer could be in the last few verses of the opening chapter of I Samuel.

           

II.  Keeping Our Vows and Giving Gifts.

            Q  Does someone know the story of Hannah, Samuel's mother?  Could you briefly tell the story?

            Q How important were children to women in the ancient world?

               An = Children gave them their dignity and fulfillment.  In Hannah's case it was what gave here social standing in her own eyes (not her husbands) and some ammunition against the taunts of Penninnah.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 1:21-23.

            Q Why does Hannah not go up to worship?

               An = She will only appear when she brings a gift.  The most "dear" gift is, of course, her only son.

            Q Had Elkanah made vows?

               An = Yes, see I Samuel 1:21.

            Q Did Elkanah know what she was going to do and approve of her action?

               An = Strangely, yes.  He was willing to give up a son, and thus the giving of the son was a joint adventure.  Numbers 30 tells us that religious vows should not split families.  She could not have fulfilled her vow without Elkanah's help.  Sometimes religious people use religion or religious vows (above and beyond what the Lord normally asks) to the detriment of their family.  It causes great resentment and does not make the Lord look to good.  Sometimes we need to remember that we cannot give what is not ours.  Often, people want to give the extraordinary, but not be faithful in the ordinary.  Our Elkhanah's must agree.

            Note:  It is hard to tell how long "until she weaned him" could be.  It is possible it was three to seven (probably closer to 3-4) years.

            Q Are we to appear before God without an offering?

               An = No, we are not to come empty handed:  Exodus 23:15, 34:20 and Deuteronomy 16:16.  Have three different people look these verses up and then have them read to the group.

            Q Why bring a gift?  What does it do for the worshipper?

                  An =  It is obvious, when we think about it, God is not broke.  He owns the cattle on a 1000 hills (Psalm 50:9-13).  It is us who need to give, not God who needs our gifts.  Perhaps give an example of this.

            Q Must we teach our children to give gifts to us?

               An = Yes, if we want them to be healthy.  Those who do not learn to give will not grow to be healthy parents, healthy mates, healthy giving members of a community.  We are raising a whole batch of kids both poor and rich that think the world owes them everything.  It is destructive for them and for their community.  "It is truly more blessed to give than to receive."

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 1:24-28.

            Q Did she bring the little boy empty handed?  Did she come also with a gift?

               An = And quite an expensive one.  It was like bringing several thousand dollars in today's reckoning.  It is expensive to serve the living God.

            Q If you look a the verbs and their subjects, what had the woman done according to her speech?

               An =  In her words:  "I stood, praying (26), I prayed (27), I asked (27), and I have lent back or dedicated forever the boy (28).  She prayed, she received, and now she keeps her vow and gives.  Have the group count the verbs of her speech with you and list them.  It begins with standing before God in His presence.  We cannot begin a decent relationship with people if we do not "stand" before them.

            Q What action dominates her story?

               An = Her asking in prayer.  Hannah has a "testimony", a story of God's action in her life.  Her particular story is dominated by prayer, by her asking.  All of us who want to grow closer to God might take a hint from Hannah and simply begin by truly asking for what we want.

            Note:  Despite the actions of the woman everything depends and centers on the Lord.  This is not mere religion, but interaction with a living God.  She prayed to God and God gave to her and now she gives back to God.  This is not sentimental religion, but faith in a living God, a real God who can be spoken to, who can do miracles, and who is expensive to worship.

            RQ  Has God given you something?

            Note:  If we receive, then we must give...this is what Hannah teaches us.  Notice her asking then leads to her receiving and then her giving.  The cycle is complete.  Just as a child is not healthy until it gives and a parent is not a good parent unless they are willing to receive, so with God.

            Q Is her decision to give her child an emotional, impulsive one?

            Q What is the proof from the text that her decision was not an immediate reaction to an emotional high?

               An = She had years to reflect as her pregnancy developed and she nursed that baby in her arms.  This was a deliberate decision.  She both gives and keeps vows with deliberate decision.

            Note: So, again, back to our two people who asked questions about relating to God and relating to people.  They asked two questions:  1) how do they have a valid relationship with other human beings and 2) how does one truly develop a proper relationship with God. 

            Q So, how can one answer to be related to both questions.  What is that answer?

               An = If they cannot answer, that is OK, just tell them we will go on.

           

III.  Conclusion:

            Q How important is it to keep vows, to be bound by our pledges?

            Q How important is it for men to keep their vows to their wives?

            Q What happens to men or women who keep their word?

            Q Do they make better friends, better mates, better parents, better assets to the community?

            Q Can you be in relationship to God and not keep your vows?

            RQ  Have you vowed to God?  Then keep your vows, even if it cost you your happiness.  Your true happiness will be just around the corner!

               An = We cannot please God or grow close to Him, after He has blessed us if we do not keep our vows.  It cannot be a one-way street.  No healthy relationship is.  To be committed is costly.  It could cost us our perception of what it means to be happy (with Hannah it was the possession of a child).

 

            Q Does God look bad in demanding of us that we give Him gifts?

            Q What would you think of the parent who demanded gifts of their children?

               An = In subtle ways this must be done.  We must teach our children to give and they must be shown the way of keeping their vows, their word or they will grow up to be worthless people both to themselves and to their communities.

            Note:  God kept His vows, His covenant, so we must be like Him to be godly.  To be godly is to be "like God" and He keep His vows.

            Note:  We cannot get to God with vows.  He must act first (in Hannah's case it was in answer to her prayers.)  The Order, according to I Samuel 1 is:

                        Prayer:  while in need (perhaps while in grief or sadness).

                        Reception of God's grace or miracle.

                        Keep Our Vows

                        Bring a Gift

                        Sing:  in the state of commitment and in Hannah's case in joy.

            Q Why bring a gift to God with the boy?

               An = 1) At the heart of our relationship to God there should be giving.  We cannot approach Him empty handed.  2) He is a giver, so we should become like Him.

            >>>> Turn to I Samuel 2:21 and have someone read this verse.

            Q What does this mean?

               An = You cannot out-give God.

            Q How many of you know people who so desperately want friends that they are like leaches when they enter a room?

            Q Are these people pleasant to be around?  Why?

            Note:  Ever notice that certain people are a joy to see walk into a room?  It is often because they are givers.  I have heard countless people say, I do not give to others or care about others in a social situation because no one cares about me.  It has to start some where.  So if they give they will slowly begin to reshape their personality and therefore their relationships to others and they, most importantly, will be pleasing God.

            Note:  God wants us to have good and healthy friendship with others and to do so we must be give to others and be keeper of our promises.  Do those two things and you will not only develop your friendships but also your relationship to God.

            Note:  One last thought.  So people give so as to control.  Notice our Lord asking us to give and His gracious acceptance of our gifts.  It takes grace to receive gifts from those around us and if we do not learn to accept we will be inadequate people.  To be godly is to receive gifts as well.  Notice the graciousness of God who risks looking bad by demanding gifts, but by doing so opens the door to our health.

 

 

I Samuel 1:1-20 | LESSON # 1 | The Advantage of Disadvantage

                                                            SAMUEL                                                LESSON # 1

                                                I Samuel 1:1-20

                                    The Advantage of Disadvantage

 

I.  Greetings.

 

II.  Unusual Beginnings to the History of Kings.

            Note:  The books we call I and II Samuel and I and II Kings are named differently in the Hebrew Bible.  There the names are I, II, III, and IV Kings.  In other words our books of I and II Samuel are I and II Kings in Hebrew and I and II Kings in English are III and IV Kings in Hebrew.   We do not know who wrote these books.  They are anonymous and their titles reflect their content not their author.  These four books cover roughly 400 years (1050-586) or the period of Israel's Monarchy.  Our study will cover the first two books and will cover the beginning of Kingship in Israel.

            Q If you were writing a history of the U.S. Presidency, how would you start?  What would your opening chapter cover as you began to discuss President Washington?

               An = Get some feed back here and then suggest that we look at how the O.T. starts.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 1:1-2.

            Note:  The author starts speaking of a man who seems quite unknown and so gives us his place of birth and city.  He is not from a major city.

            Q How many wives does Elkanah have?

               An = Two, note one has no children, and who would care about this petty detail of the domestic situation of two housewives?  However, this domestic detail will dominate the rest of the first chapter of the opening chapter of the History of Israel's kings.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 1:3-5.

            Note:  The two sons of Eli the priest are mentioned = this is a deliberate mention of Leadership which is perhaps the key issue that dominates the entire four books of Kings (I and II and Samuel and I and II Kings).

            Note:  The author goes out of his way to let us know one of the wives has no ability to have children.

            Q Who had closed Hannah's womb?

               An = God.

            Q Is God responsible for our handicaps or lacks in life, like Hannah's not being able to have children.  In other words is God really responsible for us not having the things we really want that are normal to have:  marriage, children, a good reputation, good job, etc.

               An = Yes, according to I Samuel 1:5.

            Q What do you think of God then?

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 1:6-8.

            Q What has this misfortune done to Hannah?

               An = Reduced her life to misery.

            QQ Why is she so miserable?  Are women competitive?

               An = The taunting hurts in ways that are hard to bear.

            Q Has someone ever taunted you because of a lack?  When you were young?

               An = How did you feel.

            Note:  The double portion, was a nice gesture on Elkanah's part but the taunting took even that away.  She was so upset she could not even eat.  Penninah had triumphed.

 

>>>>  Re-read I Samuel 1:8.

            Q What do you think of Elkanah's speech in 1:8?

               An or note: = Sometimes our relationships with people and with our situation will never improve until we try to accept the good we have.  We can hurt those we love and who love us, when we are hurting, if we are not accepting of the love they try to offer.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 1:9-11.

            Q In her distress where did she go?

               An = She went to God, but after she tried to eat, i.e. to accept her husbands token of love.  It is the best place to go.  This is also what is done in many other examples in the Old Testament:  Ezra:  9:1-7 and Nehemiah 1:3-6. 

            Note:  Give an example when you first fretted before you prayed, or did not pray but stayed in your fretting.  (TV)

>>>>  Have someone read Ezra 9:1-7.

            Note:  Ezra is faced with tragedy in the spiritual lives of those he loves and is responsible for.  I love how he "fell on his knees with his hands spread out to the Lord, his God."  He is grieved, pulled his hair, tore his clothes but finally prayed.  Have everyone turn just a few pages over in the Bibles to Nehemiah 1.

>>>> Have someone read Nehemiah 1:3-6

            Note:  Note Nehemiah is faced with a crisis in his nation.  He, at first sits down, grieves and weeps and then finally prays.

            Note:  Lets return to I Samuel 1:11....

            Q What do you think of the vow in 1:11?  Is this good, why or why not?  Is this commitment or manipulation?

            Note:  Explain nazarite vows briefly.  Explain also the giving to God, i.e. to the priest as a servant.

            Q Is it good to give a kid everything without him working for it?

            Q What happens to the kid that never has to make costly choices?

            Q Is it healthy for us to give to God so that it costs us?  If so why?

               An = We grow!  We decide whether we really want something (like God) if it cost us something.

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 1:12-18.

            Q Is the priest sensitive?

               An = No!  He is like many ministers and priests today.  This is how life is whether we like it or not, but the Bible is a reflection of reality not "what would be ideal".  It tells the truth so that we can deal with it.

            Q Does she let the insensitiveness of the religious leader stop her?

               An = No!  Sometimes despite the leadership, people get to God.  It is not right but it happens sometimes.

            Q How many of struggle today because of the insensitive actions of ministers or priests in your life?

            Note:  Explain priestly pronouncement.  Power of the spoken word.  God created worlds with speech.  Jesus calmed the Sea of Galilee, stopped disease, etc. with His speech.  Speech can alter reality according to the Bible, especially if God backs it.  Charismatics understand this sometimes better than other groups.  In our own experience, wedding pronouncements:  "I now pronounce you man and wife" alters reality for many people.

            Q  In I Samuel 1:18 did the woman believe?

>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 1:19-20.

            Q  Did God answer?

               An = Yes, and it could be of encouragement to hear this strain of teaching about prayer.  It is here, later in chapter 7, all through the Psalms, in the story of Jesus in the boat, in the book of Kings, etc.  The strain is simply this:  when we are really desperate and hope only in God then He will hear and He will answer.  It sounds so simply but is so important to learn.

            Q What do you really need right now?  Humbly confess your need.

            Note:  One of the great advantages I have had lately in my life is my actual disadvantages.   My disadvantages have become my advantages.   Not just in the big things but in the little things.  These disadvantanges drive me to prayer.  The prayer drives me to contact God in way that has never been a reality before.  In the long run a relationship of trust begins to develop that never would have been except for the disadvantage I experienced that drove me to prayer.

            Close in prayer.

I SAMUEL | KINGSHIP VERSUS STEWARDSHIP

                                                            I SAMUEL

                                                KINGSHIP VERSUS STEWARDSHIP

 

I.    Definition of Terms: 

            Steward:  Middle management

            King:     Top of pyramid type of leader.

 

II.   STEWARDSHIP

            Definition:

              One who leads, but is accountable to another who loves those being led.

            Scripture:

              Luke 12:42-48.  Luke 19:12-27 (talents).  I Corinthians 4:1,2.  Hebrews 13:17.

            Process:  Four Checks

              -Scripture is over the leader's actions and decisions.

              -The Spirit of God is over the leader's            actions and decisions.

              -The Needs/not desires of others are over the leader's actions and decisions.

              -The brothers are over the leader's actions and decisions.

            Advantages:

              -Oppression is avoided by the checks.

              -Corruption is avoided by the checks.

              -Fellowship and greater service results.

              -Humility develops and serves as a behavior model for others.

                        I Peter 4:10,11.

            Immediate Results:

              -Self discipline must be present:  Titus 1:5-9

              -Leader's ego will suffer:  i.e. Paul.

              -Leader will be less powerful.

              -Not all of your immediate goals will be accomplished.

            Final Results:

              -Great development and health in others will appear.

              -Love among others will grow.

              -The leader will develop. 

III.  KINGSHIP

            Definition:

              One who leads with one check, preservation of their leadership.  They believe they have a right to spoils.

            Scripture:

              I Samuel 8:4-7;  10-18.

            Process:

              -A steward when selfish becomes a king.

              -If you are very concerned with maintaining your power and leadership that is a sign of unconscious kingship developing.

              -One forgets that there is really only one King.

              -One forgets that God owns all things, not us.

            Disadvantages:

              -oppression

              -corruption

              -loss of spiritual direction

            Immediate Results:

              -They will stay in power.

              -Their ego is gratified.

              -Their goals will be accomplished.

            Final Results:

              -God will judge them:  remember Saul.