The books of Samuel begin in the time of the Judges. After the Exodus and Conquest of Canaan, Israel was ruled by judges. In order to understand the events of the books, it is important to understand some background matters.

1. The events of Samuel begin about 1100 BC. The Israelites had not driven out the inhabitants of the land completely. God had allowed it to happen little by little, but they refused to complete the job during the 200 years of the judges. They chose instead to subject various people of the land to forced labor-disobeying God and sowing the seeds of their future misery.

2. There were unexplained migrations of peoples from southeastern Europe about the same time as the Exodus. The Sea Peoples left Crete and southern Greece and attempted to invade Egypt. They were driven off and settled along the southwestern coast of Canaan. They were called the Philistines and became some of the worst enemies of Israel. In addition to their warlike behavior, they possessed the greatest advantage of the day-iron. By the time of Samuel, they had been settled in their cities for about 200 years.

3. The books of Samuel focus on leadership. The judges were the leaders of Israel who ruled or delivered the people from their enemies. The people were not good followers, though, and rebelled against God frequently. At this time in Israel’s history, there was a crisis of leadership and a crisis of obedience-to earthly rulers and to God.

Elkanah and his wives, Peninnah and Hannah, went each year to Shiloh to offer sacrifices (Shiloh was the location of the Tabernacle since Joshua 19:51-about 200 years). It grieved Hannah that she had no children, so that she didn’t much enjoy the worship experience. At one point, Hannah prayed fervently for a child and vowed her son to the Lord as a Nazirite. The priest, Eli, assumed she was drunk and chided her, but she demonstrated that she was distressed, not drunk. He blessed her and in time, she had a son whom she named Samuel, “heard of God.”

Hannah remains at home while Elkanah and Peninnah go back to Shiloh. She refuses to return to offer sacrifice until the boy is weaned. Once that occurs, perhaps at age three, she makes the journey back to Shiloh and turns him over to Eli.

The chapter opens with a psalm of praise by Hannah for God’s gracious gift of her son. By contrast, Eli’s sons are painted in the most despicable colors. They are frankly called “wicked.” Their crimes are committed against God. They ignored the tithe laws, ignored the sacrifice laws and prevented others from obeying God, they were sexually immoral and they dishonored their father by rejecting his advice. They rejected God.

Samuel’s character shines in comparison. He served as a priest while he was just a boy. He was respected by the people and was favored by God. In every way he is preferable to Eli’s natural sons.

An unnamed prophet came to Eli and announced his doom from God. Eli was guilty of honoring his own sons above God, so God determined to remove Eli’s family from the lineage of the priesthood. There would be no remedy.

Eli and Samuel slept in the Tabernacle. One night God called Samuel, but he assumed it was Eli. After the third call, Eli tells him to answer, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” Samuel does, and God again announces doom on the house of Eli. The next morning, Eli demands the message, and Samuel repeats it. Eli is resigned to God’s will, but from that time everyone knows that Samuel is a special prophet of God. What he said happened just as he said, so Samuel was God’s word to Israel.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why did Eli assume Hannah was drunk? What was the significance of Hannah’s barrenness? How could Peninnah “provoke” Hannah? Why would Elkanah allow Hannah to vow away his son?

2. Why did the people put up with the wickedness of Eli’s sons? If Eli reared his sons and Samuel, why didn’t Samuel turn out the same as Hophni and Phineas? What should Eli have done with his sons?

3. Was it fair for Eli and his grandchildren to be punished for the sins of Hophni and Phineas? Why did God warn Eli more than once about the doom that was coming on him and his family?

4. How can good leadership inspire followers to accept the agenda and support the effort? How can reluctant followers sabotage wise leadership? What is our responsibility in following the leadership of God?