1 Samuel 1
by Pastor David Groendyk
Historically speaking, the books of 1–2 Samuel follow immediately after the book of Judges which describes Israel’s failure to conquer Canaan and subsequent downward spiritual spiral into idolatry. The repeated description of Israel in the book of Judges was, “There was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Israel desperately needed a leader in those days, and, in fact, did have a king—God—but had rejected him and went their own way. So the books of 1–2 Samuel describe the relationship between God and his people following that period of time. The big idea of 1–2 Samuel is kingship. Israel wants a king to lead them, which isn’t a problem in and of itself; the problem is that they don’t let God choose the king. Israel will choose a king who looks like every other nation’s king. God then steps in and appoints his chosen ruler, who would both show them how to rule according to God’s standard but also point forward to the perfect Messiah King who was yet to come. Thus, 1–2 Samuel provide a history of the formation of the nation of Israel, reveal God’s plan to establish a godly king to ruler over his people, and point forward to an even better Messiah yet to come who would be Israel’s true king and savior.
Here’s a very simple three-part outline of 1 Samuel to orient you. You’ll see as you read through this book that the action will revolve mainly around three men—Samuel, Saul, and David.
- Focus on Samuel: the judge, priest, and prophet (chs. 1–7)
- Focus on Saul: a king in place of God (chs. 8–15)
- Focus on David: a king chosen by God (chs. 16–31)
Chapter 1 is an amazing story of God’s personal provision to his child. The theme of barrenness and the heartbreak and conflict that arise from it in the Old Testament is a common one. It reminds us of Sarah and Hagar, Leah and Rachel, among others. And it shows us how God is good to his people and works in miraculous ways to provide for them. On the face of it, we see God providing a son to a woman who dearly wants a child. However, nearly every single time the Bible speaks about God making fruitful a womb that was once barren, that child ends up being a huge figure in the redemptive history of Israel. Sarah gives birth to… Isaac. Rachel gives birth to… Joseph. Elizabeth gives birth to… John the Baptist. The birth story of Samuel is no different. Not only do we see a child being provided for a mother, but we see God providing a worker of salvation and redemption for his whole people out of a seemingly hopeless situation. Samuel would go on to be a great godly leader in Israel for many years (although the people wouldn’t always recognize it), and except for God’s miraculous intervention, he never would’ve been born. God is constantly bringing the hope of redemption to dark, hopeless places. Samuel’s birth reminds us of that awesome reality, and it puts us in a hopeful state of mind following Judges as we begin 1 Samuel.
Hannah’s prayer life is also instructive for believers now. She is very much like the persistent widow who keeps pestering the unjust judge in Luke 18:1–8. She’s a model for the teaching that we ought always to pray and never lose heart. Although she’s also a great model for what we do with the things we receive from God. Notice that Hannah gets exactly what she’s wanted all along, and she immediately gives him away to God for his service. Not only should we continue asking and never lose heart in prayer, but we must also be sure not to “ask wrongly, to spend it on [our] passions” (James 4:3). Everything that we receive from God is a gift, and it is to be used for God’s glory and service, not for our own personal gain. I’m sure Hannah would’ve been tempted to rub it in the face of Peninnah or maybe look for a way out of her vow. I’m sure I would have. But she follows up her godly desires and godly prayers with godly faithfulness. How else can we imitate Hannah in her prayers?