THE PRAYER-PROPHECY OF HANNAH (1 SAMUEL 2:1). This prayer-prophecy should be seen as continuing the thought of 1 Samuel 1. It does, however, summarise the message of the whole book, leading up to the exaltation of His righteous king, and the promise of an everlasting king arising from David's house.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE GLORIES IN THE POWER OF YHWH AND IN HIS COMING KING (1 SAMUEL 2:9). 1 Samuel 2:9 “He will keep the feet of his chosen ones, But the wicked will be put to silence in darkness, For by strength will no man prevail, Those who strive with YHWH will be broken to pieces. Against them will he thu... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RISE OF SAMUEL AND THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF ELI (1 SAMUEL 2:12 TO 1 SAMUEL 3:1). In this section we now have a description of the careful build up of Samuel's ministry and of his own spiritual growth. But deliberately interlaced within it is the continuing description of the downfall of the hou... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CONTRASTING BEHAVIOUR OF SAMUEL AND HIS FAMILY (1 SAMUEL 2:18). In total contrast the young Samuel, dressed similarly to a priest even though still a child, ministered before YHWH, and continued to grow in righteousness. He must have been both bewildered and grieved at what he saw. And no doubt... [ Continue Reading ]
ELI'S SONS BECOME WORSE AND WORSE UNTIL THEY HAVE ‘SINNED UNTO DEATH' (1 SAMUEL 2:22). While Samuel was growing and developing, Eli's sons were shrivelling and disintegrating. By this time Eli was an old man. His time as Priest was coming to an end. And while Samuel cheered his godly heart continua... [ Continue Reading ]
SAMUEL CONTINUES TO GROW ON, AND IS INCREASING IN FAVOUR BOTH WITH YHWH AND WITH MEN (1 SAMUEL 2:26). 1 Samuel 2:26 ‘ And the child Samuel grew on, and increased in favour both with YHWH, and also with men.' While Eli's sons have totally deteriorated, and have come under the condemnation of both... [ Continue Reading ]
YHWH SENDS A MAN OF GOD TO PASS HIS VERDICT ON ELI'S HOUSE (1 SAMUEL 2:27). Scripture constantly reveals that God is never left without a witness. Always at special times of need a ‘man of God' appears. In this case there comes an anonymous ‘man of God' to Eli. He may well, of course, have been kno... [ Continue Reading ]