Day 91 - 1Samuel 1 to 3
Today we are starting a new book – 1 Samuel, which describes the rise of Israel’s first kings. There are three key characters that dominate the book – Samuel, Saul and David.
The chapters open with the story of Elkanah and his two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Hannah is barren but Peninnah has several children, and she mercilessly provokes Hannah because of her barrenness. So Hannah prays to the Lord when they go up to Shiloh to worship. She asks God for a son and promises to give the child back to God if He answers her prayer.
We also see in chapter 1 Eli the priest, and his two sons Hophni and Phinehas, who we later learn are corrupt and dishonour God with their actions.
In Chapter 2 Hannah sings a song of praise and thanksgiving to God for giving her a son. Samuel grows up ministering to the Lord. There is also a word given to Eli that his household is going to be cut off because of his sons’ wrongdoing and his inability to correct them.
In chapter 3, Samuel encounters God who calls to him three times and then he responds as he did not know God before this. From that point on Samuel is the prophet of God to the nation of Israel.
