1 Sam 1

 1Sa 1:1-3

1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of the hill-country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite: 2 and he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 And this man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice unto Jehovah of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests unto Jehovah, were there. 

Summary

1. Certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the Hill-country of Ephraim

1. Ramathaim-zophim means "double height of watchers" 

2. height as in "high place" 

3. High places usually refers to idolatry

2. 'Certain' man's name was Elkanah

1. Means "God has created"

2. Or means "God has possessed"

3. Elkanah has two wives

1. Hannah - means "grace" from the word "favored"

2. Peninnah - means "jewel"

4. Peninnah has children

5. Hannah has no children

Thoughts??

6. Every year, Elkanah goes to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts

1. Shiloh means "place of rest"

2. The ark of the covenant was in Shiloh at the time as per 1Sam 4:3

3. Shiloh is 7-12 miles from Ramathaim-zophim

4. First time in the OT that the Lord of hosts is mentioned:

The Lord of Hosts - This title of Yahweh which, with some variations, is found upward of 260 times in the Old Testament, occurs here for the first time. The meaning of the word “hosts” is doubtless the same as that of “army” Dan 4:35 and includes all the myriads of holy Angels who people the celestial spheres 1Ki 22:19. It is probably with reference to the idolatrous worship of the Host of heaven that the title the “Lord of Hosts” was given to the true God, as asserting His universal supremacy (see Neh 9:6). In the New Testament the phrase only occurs once Jam 5:4.

7. For some reason, the text tells us that two sons of Eli were priests in Shiloh.

1. Hophni - means "pugilist" or one that fights with his fists

2. Phinehas - means "mouth of brass" or "mouth of a serpent"

1Sa 1:4-6

4 And when the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: 5 but unto Hannah he gave a double portion; for he loved Hannah, but Jehovah had shut up her womb. 6 And her rival provoked her sore, to make her fret, because Jehovah had shut up her womb. 

Summary

1. When the day came for sacrifice, Elkanah gives a portion to his wife, Peninnah, and portions to all her sons and daughters.

1. How many sons/daughters can we assume he has with Peninnah, at a minimum? 4

2. What might these "portions" be? 

1. Sunday school offering?

2. BGMC barrels?

3. Probably a portion of the meat sacrifice given possibly for peace-offerings?

2. But unto Hannah, he gives a double portion, because he loved her.

1. Hannah gets a double portion (or a worthy portion)

Syriac: "he gave her one DOUBLE PART"

Chaldee and Arabic:  he gave her one CHOSEN part"

Vulgate: but to Hannah, Elkaneh, being sorrowful gave one part.

But the Hebrew here is very obscure:

"he gave her a face portion"

"he gave her one portion of two faces" 

Why a face portion? Or a portion of two faces?

As the shew-bread that was presented to the Lord was called "lechem panim", the bread of faces, because it was placed before the face of the Lord. Ex 25:30

On this ground it might be said that Elkanah gave Hannah his own portion or a part of shewbread or "bread of faces" which was given to him.

Whatever it was, it was intended as a proof of his special love for her; for, it is added, he loved Hannah.

2. Double portion thoughts? Elisha, the double portion, metaphoric for the overcomer on Day 7 of the day of vengence as per Isaiah 61:2,7

3. What can we assume about Elkanah's relationship with Peninnah? He didn't love her?

3. The Lord had shut up Hannah's  womb.

1. Who else have we read about that God shuts her womb? Or is unable to bear children?

1. Rachel?

2. The great woman from Shuman in 2 Kings 4:8

4. Peninnah provokes Hannah (her rival) severely causing her to be troubled or vexed.

1. Why? Jealousy?

2. This provocation seems to be more than just a few snide remarks, but the words used here seem to indicate that she was loud and boisterous with her complaints and taunts.

3. What other two ladies were mean to each other as competing over their man in the OT? Abraham, Sarah and the handmaiden

Who despised who? The handmaiden despised Sarah

Gen 16:4-5 

4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I gave my handmaid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: Jehovah judge between me and thee.

Who bore the child of promise? Sarah

Maybe that is significant here…

1 Sam 1:7-11 

7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of Jehovah, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. 8 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons? 9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest was sitting upon his seat by the door-post of the temple of Jehovah. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto Jehovah, and wept sore. 11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Jehovah of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thy handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thy handmaid, but wilt give unto thy handmaid a man-child, then I will give him unto Jehovah all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. 

Summary

1. Vs7 Every year as Hannah, Elkanah, Peninnah, and her sons and daughters went to Shiloh, Peninnah would provoke Hannah to tears. 

2. Vs7 As a result, Hannah wouldn't eat.

3. Vs8 When Elkanah (her sensitive husband) noticed, he says

1. "Why are you weeping?"

2. "Why aren't you eating?"

3. "Why are you upset?"

4. "Isn't your marriage to me  better than having 10 sons?"

4. Vs9 Seems that Hannah ends up both eating and drinking while in Shiloh. Not sure if it's as the result of her husband's encouragement. 

5. Vs9 Eli, the priest, seemed to be watching this as he sat by the door post of the temple.

6. Vs10 Hannah being bitter of life, prayed and wept. Eli seems to be watching and taking notice. So we can assume she went to the temple?

7. Vs11 Hannah prays "look upon my misery, remember me, don't forget."

1. Please give me a man-child. Thoughts? Rev 12

2. If you do, then I will give him to you all the days of his life.

What happens to the child in Rev 12?

Rev 12:5 

And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne.

3. No razor shall come upon his head. 

1. What is this? Nazarite vow

Num 6:5 

All the days of his vow of separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in which he separateth himself unto Jehovah, he shall be holy; he shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow long.

Think of anyone who had a Nazirite rite? Samson

1 Sam 1:12-16 

12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before Jehovah, that Eli marked her mouth. 13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Jehovah. 16 Count not thy handmaid for a wicked woman; for out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation have I spoken hitherto. 

Summary

1. Vs12 As Hannah prays, Eli notices Hannah's mouth moving.

2. Vs13 Eli assumes that Hannah is drunk, I guess if you can picture a drunken homeless man who rambles under his breath.

3. Vs14 Eli says "How long will you be drunken? Put the wine away!"

4. Vs15 Hannah says "No master, I am not drunk, and haven't drunken wine or strong drink. I have a sorrowful spirit and have poured my soul before the Lord".

5. Vs16 Hannah say "Don’t consider your maid servant a worthless woman. Rather, all this time I’ve been speaking because I’m very anxious and distressed.”

Hannah

1. means "grace"

2. Who is given grace in the bible?

Eph 2:8-9 

8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not of works, that no man should glory.

3. Hannah is a metaphor for NT church who is given grace.

4. So Hannah (or Grace) is a metaphor for the bride (or wife) of Jesus. 

5. She is the brokenhearted bride who is unable to reproduce.

But remember:

Isa 61:1-3 

1 The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of Jehovah's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified.

6. She is also a metaphor for broken heart sick people of God on day 7 (or day of vengence) who are in a state of deep sorrow and morning and they eventually have an offspring that's referred to in Revelation 12

The offspring (or children) will be trees of righteousness that are produced on day 7.

1 Sam 1:17-20

17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace; and the God of Israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 18 And she said, Let thy handmaid find favor in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat; and her countenance was no more sad. 19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before Jehovah, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Jehovah remembered her; 20 and it came to pass, when the time was come about, that Hannah conceived, and bare a son; and she called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of Jehovah. 

Summary

1. Vs17 Eli says "May God grant your request".

2. Vs18 “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” 

3. Vs18 She leaves, eats and face is no longer sad.

4. Vs19 They get up early, worship the Lord, return home to Ramah. Husband and wife fool around and God remembers her.

5. Vs20 By the following year's sacrifice in Shiloh, Hannah had gotten pregnant, and had a son. 

I'm assuming the baby was about 3 months old?

6. Vs20 The baby is named Samuel. Because I have asked him of the Lord.

Samuel - means " his name is El" El means God or godlike

1. So Hannah, the expectant,  grieving and mournful, 7th day bride of Christ finally has her long awaited man-child son

2. What does Samuel represent?

1 Sam 1:21-24

21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto Jehovah the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. 22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned; and then I will bring him, that he may appear before Jehovah, and there abide for ever. 23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only Jehovah establish his word. So the woman tarried and gave her son suck, until she weaned him. 24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of Jehovah in Shiloh: and the child was young. 

Summary

1. Vs21 Elkanah goes to the yearly sacrifice in Shiloh the year after the baby's birth. 

2. Vs22 Hannah and the baby stay home.

1. Why? The child isn't weaned.

2. Weaned from what? The breast. Or the milk.

3. Vs22 what will the child eat when he is weaned? Solid food or spoken another way, meat.

1. Significance of milk vs meat?

1Co 3:2-3  

2 I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able; 3 for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of men?

2. Again

Heb 5:12-14 

12 For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. 13 For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. 14 But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

4. Vs22 So we see the child will be presented to God once he is eating solid food.

5. Vs23 Elkaneh says to Hannah, "Do what seems right to you. Let the Lord establish your words"

6. Vs24 When Samuel was weaned, Hannah took him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. Along with three young bulls, one ephah of flour and a bottle of wine. The child was young.

1 Sam 1:25-28

25 And they slew the bullock, and brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, Oh, my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto Jehovah. 27 For this child I prayed; and Jehovah hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 28 therefore also I have granted him to Jehovah; as long as he liveth he is granted to Jehovah. And he worshipped Jehovah there.

Summary

1. Vs25 They slew the bull (3 bulls or a 3 yr old bull) and brought the child to Eli. 

1. Why kill the bull? Sacrifice?

2. Vs26/27 Hannah says (to Eli?) "I am the woman that was standing here praying. This is the child that I had prayed for and the Lord has granted my request".

3. Vs28 "Therefore I am granting (lending) him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is granted (lent) to the Lord. And he worshipped.