(l:1) The Last Judge - The book of 1 Samuel begins in the days when the judges still ruled Israel during the closing years of Samson's life. Samuel was Israel's last judge and the first priest and prophet to serve during the time of a king. He was the best example of what a good judge should be, governing the people by God's Word and not by his own impulses. Samuel was the man who anointed Saul as Israel's first king. Although this chapter begins with "Now there was a certain man." Hannah and her faith are the real focus of this story.

(1:2) A Day When Poligamy was Allowed but Not Intended - Although many great Old Testament leaders (such as Abraham, Jacob, and David) had more than one wife, this was not God's original intention for marriage, nor is it his intention today. Genesis 2:24 states that in marriage two people become one. Why, then, did polygamy exist among God's people? (1) It allowed families to produce more offspring to help provide labor and to assure the continuation of the family line. Numerous children were a symbol of status and wealth. (2) In societies where many young men were killed in battle, polygamy became an accepted way of supporting women who otherwise would have remained unmarried and, very likely, destitute. Nevertheless, polygamy is never endorsed in the Bible; on the contrary, it usually caused serious family problems, as we see in this story of Hannah and Peninnah.

(1:3) The Jewish Festivals - The tabernacle (tent of meeting) was located at Shiloh, the religious center of the nation (see Joshua 18:1). Three times a year all Israelite men were required to attend a religious festival held at the tabernacle: the Passover with the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:16). Elkanah made this pilgrimage regularly to fulfill God's commands. (See Exodus 23:14-17 for the regulations concerning the pilgrimage, and see the note on Exodus 40:34 for more on the tabernacle.)

(1:6) Hannah is Childless - Hannah had been unable to conceive children, and in Old Testament times, childless women were seen as flawed and inferior to women who could bear children. Their barrenness was a social embarrassment for their husbands. Children were a very important part of the society's economic structure. They were a source of labor for their families, and they had the duty of caring for their parents in their old age. If a wife could not bear children, she was often obligated by ancient Middle Eastern custom to give one of her servant girls to her husband to bear children for her. Although Elkanah could have left Hannah (a husband was permitted to divorce a barren wife), he remained lovingly devoted to her despite social pressure and his rights under civil law.

(1:7) Giving Support in a Time of Suffering - Part of God's plan for Hannah involved postponing her years of childbearing. While Peninnah looked at Hannah's outward circumstances, God was moving ahead with his plan. Think of those in your world who are struggling with God's timing in answering their prayers and who need your love and help. By supporting them, you may help them remain steadfast in their faith and confident in God's timing to bring fulfillment to their lives.

(1:8) Focus on the Lord Not Man - Hannah knew her husband loved her, but even his encouragement could not comfort her. She could not keep from hearing Peninnah's jeers and letting her hurtful words erode her self-confidence. Although we cannot keep others from unjustly criticizing us, we can choose how we will react to their words. Rather than dwelling upon our problems, we can enjoy the loving relationships God has given us. By doing so, we can exchange self-pity and despair for hope and optimism.

(1:10) Hannah Chooses to Trust the Lord - Hannah had good reason to feel discouraged and bitter. She was unable to bear children; she shared her husband with a woman who ridiculed her (1-7); her loving husband could not solve her problem (1:8); and even the high priest misunderstood her motives (1:14). But instead of reacting with anger or giving up hope, Hannah prayed. She brought her problem honestly before God. We may face times of barrenness when nothing "comes to birth" in our work, service, or relationships. Praying in faith is difficult when we feel so ineffective and alone. But as Hannah discovered, prayer opens the way for God to work (1:19-20).

(1:11) Hannah Vows to Dedicate Her Son to the Lord -  In return for being able to conceive a son, Hannah vowed to dedicate him to God for lifetime service. Hannah may have been making a Nazarite vow, which parents could take for their unborn children. The Nazarite vow promised that a person would be set apart for special service to God (see the notes on Numbers 6:1-4 and Judges 13:5). As long as the vow was in effect, the person's hair could not be cut. Although some vows were temporary, Hannah's vow for Samuel was for life.

(1:11) Hannah Bargains with God - Be careful what you promise in prayer, because God may hold you to it. Hannah so desperately wanted a child that she was willing to strike a bargain with God. God took her up on her promise, and to Hannah's credit, she kept her word, even though it must have been painful (1:27-28). Although we are not in a position to barter with God, he may still choose to answer a prayer that has an attached promise. When you pray, ask yourself, Will I follow through on any promises I make to God if he gives me what I ask? To ignore a promise, especially to God, is dishonest and potentially disastrous. God keeps his promises, and he expects you to keep yours. Hannah fulfilled her promise to God, and he blessed her with five more children (2:21).

(1:12-14) Eli Makes a Snap Judgement - When you notice that something seems wrong with another person, what is your first reaction? Eli made a snap judgment about Hannah before he knew all the facts. It is easy to misunderstand motives and actions, and doing so can cause us to make assumptions about others that are not true. Be sensitive to the fact that, like Hannah, anyone you encounter may be carrying a tremendous burden.

(1:13-18) Hannah has a Change of Attitude Earlier, Hannah had been discouraged to the point of being physically sick and unable to eat. At this point, she returned home well and happy. The change in her attitude may be attributed to three factors: (1) She had prayed honestly to God, not holding anything back from him (1:11); (2) she had received encouragement from Eli (it7); and (3) she had resolved to leave the problem with God (1.18. This is the antidote for discouragement: Tell God how you really feel and leave your problems with him. Then rely upon the support of good friends and

counselors.

(1:26-28) Hannah Presents Her Son to Eli - To do what she promised (1:11), Hannah gave up what she wanted most--her son--and presented him to Eli to serve in the house of the Lord. In dedicating her only son to God, Hannah was dedicating her entire life and future to him. Because Samuel's life was from God, Hannah was not really giving him up. Rather, she was returning him to God, who had been the one who gave him to Hannah in the first place. These verses illustrate the kind of gifts we should give to God. Do your gifts cost you little (Sunday mornings, a comfortable tithe), or are they gifts of sacrifice? Are you presenting God with tokens, or are you presenting him with your entire life?

(1:28) Hannah Does Not Forget Samuel - Samuel was at least three years old (the customary age for weaning was three to five years or even older) when his mother left him at the tabernacle. By saying, "I have lent him to the LORD," Hannah meant that she was dedicating Samuel to God for lifetime service. She did not, of course, forget her much-wanted son. She visited him regularly, and each year she brought him a new robe to wear (2:19). In later years, Samuel lived in Ramah (7:17), his parents' hometown (1:19-20).