Lesson 17

1. Lesson 17 Eli and Samuel

2. Arimathea Ramah

3. Moving Forward • We jump forward in the Bible to continue chronologically with the narrative of the period of the judges • We will return to the book of Judges later • We will also cover Ruth • The remainder of the book of Judges and the book of Ruth form “appendices” to the period of the judges

4. Samuel’s Family • Elkanah was from Ramathaim-Zophim in the mountains of Ephraim • Was Elkanah of the tribe of Ephraim? • 1 Chron. 6:26 tells us that he was of the tribe of Levi • How do we explain this? • Elkanah had two wives, Peninnah and Hannah • Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not

5. Samuel’s Family • Every year, Elkanah would go to Shiloh to worship • He gave Peninnah and her sons a portion of the sacrifice • He gave Hannah a double portion because she had no sons and he loved her • Peninnah would mock her • Elkanah would say, “Why are you sad? Am I not better to you than 10 sons?”

6. Hannah Prays for Samuel • After the sacrifice meal, Hannah went to the temple to pray • She wept bitterly and prayed earnestly • She made a vow that if Jehovah would give her a son, she would give him back • Her lips moved, but her voice was not heard • Eli saw this and thought she was drunk • Eli rebuked her • She respectfully explains and denies being drunk

7. Samuel Is Born • After worshipping, they returned to Ramah • Hannah conceived and bore Samuel, which means “Heard by God” • Every year, when Elkanah would go to worship the Lord, Hannah would stay home with Samuel • She did this until Samuel was weaned because she planned to give him to the service of the Lord in the tabernacle

8. Samuel Serves the Lord • After he was weaned, she took him with 3 bulls, and ephah of flour, and a skin of wine • She offered the sacrifice and gave the child to Eli • She told Eli who she why she was leaving Samuel there

9. Hannah’s Prayer • Hannah prays a beautiful prayer • The theme is the power, holiness, and salvation of Jehovah • The proud and mighty are brought low and the humble are exalted • There is even a bit of a retort to Peninnah’s provocation • There is a messianic reference at the end

10. Eli’s Sons • Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were very wicked • The custom was for the priest to get boiled meat from a flesh hook • However, Hophni and Phinehas would insist that they be given their meat before the sacrifice was offered • If denied, they would take it by force! • It was so bad, that men avoided offering sacrifices!

11. Samuel Ministers • Meanwhile, Samuel ministers to the Lord at the tabernacle in Shiloh • Hannah would make him a garment and bring it yearly • Eli would bless Elkanah, saying, “Jehovah give you descendants from this woman.” • Hannah had 3 other sons and 2 daughters • Samuel grew before the Lord

12. Eli Rebukes His Sons • Eli told his sons that he did not hear good things about them • They were causing the people to sin • Eli said, “If one sins against a man, God will judge him. Who will intercede if one sins against God?” • His sons did not listen and continued in their wickedness

13. A Man of God Visits Eli • A man of god (a prophet) visits Eli and rebukes him • Eli did not show the position of the priesthood the proper respect by allowing his sons to pervert it • Eli “honored his sons more than God” • Hophni and Phinehas will die in the same day • There will not be an old man in Eli’s house

14. Samuel Receives the Word • The word of the Lord was rare when Samuel was a boy • While Eli was lying down, God called Samuel • Samuel thought it was Eli, so he ran to see him • This happened three times • After this, Eli knew it was God, and told Samuel what to do

15. Samuel Receives the Word • When the Lord spoke this time, Samuel said, “Speak, Your servant hears.” • The Lord told Samuel about the judgment of Eli’s house • Samuel was afraid to tell Eli, but he did • Samuel grew in the Lord and the Lord was with him • All Israel recognized Samuel as a prophet