Chapter 1 of 1 Samuel introduces the character of Hannah, a woman who is married to a man named Elkanah. Hannah is barren and deeply desires to have a child, but she has not been able to conceive. Elkanah has another wife, Peninnah, who has children and often taunts Hannah for her inability to bear children.
Hannah goes to the tabernacle to pray and weep before the Lord, and she makes a vow to God, promising that if He gives her a son, she will dedicate him to God's service. The priest Eli observes her praying and, thinking she is drunk, rebukes her. But when she explains her situation, Eli blesses her and she leaves the tabernacle with a renewed sense of hope.
In chapter 2, Hannah gives birth to a son and names him Samuel. She fulfills her vow to God by bringing him to the tabernacle to be raised under Eli's care. Hannah also prays a song of thanksgiving to God, expressing her gratitude for the gift of a child and God's faithfulness to His promises.
Chapter 3 sees Samuel, now a boy, serving under Eli in the tabernacle. God speaks to Samuel in the night, calling him by name and giving him a message to deliver to Eli. Samuel is hesitant to deliver the message because it is a message of judgment, predicting that Eli's family will be punished for their sins. Eli encourages Samuel to tell him everything, and when Samuel relays the prophecy, Eli accepts it as from God.
The context for these chapters is the period of the judges, a time of political and social instability in Israel's history. The tabernacle serves as a central place of worship for the Israelites, and the priestly line of Eli is responsible for carrying out the duties of the tabernacle. However, as we see in later chapters, Eli's sons are corrupt and use their position for personal gain, and Eli himself is too weak to rein them in.
God judges the priests harshly because of their sin and corruption. They are guilty of stealing offerings, committing sexual immorality, and showing contempt for the Lord's sacrifices. God sends the prophecy through Samuel to warn Eli and his family of the impending judgment, and later chapters show how this prophecy is fulfilled. The judgment on Eli's family serves as a warning to all who would abuse their position of authority and disregard God's commands.
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