1 Samuel 1 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Samuel 1 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• The birth of Samuel is usually dated between 1100 B.C. and 1070 B.C.

• Samuel was the final judge of Israel. Most scholars place the period of the judges between 1450 B.C. and 1000 B.C. The books of Judges, Ruth and 1 Samuel fall within this period of history.

CHARACTERS:

• Elkanah – A man from the tribe of Levi who lived in the hill country of Ephraim.

• Penninah and Hannah – The two wives of Elkanah.

• Eli – The 14th judge of Israel. He was a priest who served God at the Tabernacle.

• Samuel – The firstborn son of Hannah. He grew up in Shiloh serving the Lord at the Tabernacle.

WHERE:

• Elkanah, Hannah, and Peninnah lived in Ramah, between Gibeah and Mizpah.

• The Tabernacle of God was in Shiloh during these days.

OUTLINE:

• THE BIRTH OF SAMUEL (1:1-20):

  • A man named Elkanah had two wives, Peninnah and Hannah.

  • Peninnah had born Elkanah several children, but “the Lord had closed” Hannah’s womb.

  • Peninnah made fun of Hannah because she was childless.

  • Every year, their family would go to Shiloh and offer sacrifices to God.

  • On their annual visit, Hannah was distressed and went to the Tabernacle to pray and ask God for a son.

  • She promised the Lord, if He gave her a son, she would give him back to Him.

  • Eli, the priest, assumed Hannah was a drunk, because he observed her lips moving, but she wasn’t making any sound.

  • He confronted her and told her to put away her wine.

  • Hannah clarified that she wasn’t drunk, rather she was pouring out her soul to the Lord.

  • Realizing his foolishness, Eli blessed Hannah and expressed his hope that God would answer her prayer.

  • Shortly after returning to their house in Ramah, Hannah conceived.

  • She gave birth to a son and named him Samuel.

• HANNAH GIVES SAMUEL BACK TO THE LORD (1:20-28):

  • When Samuel was weaned, Hannah took him to Shiloh.

  • She offered sacrifices to God at the Tabernacle before bringing Samuel to Eli.

  • She told Eli about her vow, and how God had answered her prayer and given her a son.

  • Hannah gave Samuel to Eli, who raised him in Shiloh and taught him to serve the Lord.

APPLICATION:

• We know very little about the details of 99.9% of people’s lives. We should be slow to assume bad things about another person when we don’t know anything about them.

• Eli assumed Hannah was a drunk, when in-fact she was a virtuous woman.

• Eli interpreted the details of the scene very poorly.

• Eli’s interpretation of Hannah’s actions may have been shaped by his past, but they certainly weren’t shaped by Hannah’s past.

• Mat 7:2 - For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.