In the history of the Jews, 1 Samuel is a transition book from the leadership of the Judges to the people asking for a king. Like in Ruth where we found some people who were faithful to the Lord, 1 Samuel begins with a family that faithfully went to Shiloh to worship the Lord yearly. Elkanah had two wives, Hannah, whom he loved but was barren, and his second wife, Peninnah who had children. Peninnah would provoke and irritate Hannah, until her soul was grieved. One year, they went to the tabernacle in Shiloh and Hannah bowed before the Lord with a vow that if the Lord would remember her by giving her a son, she would give him back to the Lord for his service. Eli the priest thought she was drunk, but when he found out that she was not, he blessed her and said, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked." Hannah believed, and she was no longer downcast. They worshipped the Lord and went home, and Elkanah and Hannah had a son, and she named him Samuel which means, "Heard of God." She kept her vow, and after he was weened, she took him to Shiloh to serve the Lord under Eli the priest. Chapter 2 is her prayer/praise/song unto the Lord. She praised Him for delivering her from her enemies. She acknowledged that the Lord is holy. He knows. He judges. He raises up the lowly and brings down the prideful. He is the giver of life and death, and those who seek the Lord find strength. Her praise ends by mentioning that the Lord gives strength to His king, the Lord's anointed. We caught a glimpse in Ruth that this anointed King of the Lord is David.
