6/20/23 - 1 Samuel 2: 18-26

1 Samuel 2: 18-26

Observation:

1 Sam 2:18-21

Hannah goes to the temple praying for a child whom Eli overhears Hannah's prayers and blesses her. Hannah would dedicate the promised child to God. With the Lord's blessing, Hannah would then give birth to 3 sons and 2 daughters, and the youngest son, being Samuel would be dedicated to the Lord as promised.

1 Sam 2: 22-26

The prophet Eli being old as he heard rumors of his sons performing sinful acts of having sex with other women. Eli failed to correct his sons and rebuke them of their sinful behavior and at some point, the Lord came to Eli and prophesied about the judgment that would befall Eli's family. At the end of the passage, it informs on how Samuel was a sharp contrast to Eli's sons as Samuel was a faithful servant of the Lord.

Interpretation:

Hannah being a young, barren wife of Elkaneh is desperate for a son. During that period of time, having sons meant the world as it represents wealth, status and contination of the lineage. Also, having children brought importance to the parents as well bringing a sense of meaning and purpose. Full of anxiety and desperation, Hannah goes to the Lord's temple, pleading, crying and praying to God for a son. In beginning of 1 Sam Ch 2, in v1, it shares how Hannah prayed "My heart exults in Yahweh..." and in 1 Sam Ch 1, in v15, Hannah states "I have poured out my soul before Yahweh." This clearly depicts Hannah's state of mind and heart. Unfortunately, the prophet Eli did not view Hannah is that way as she believed she was drunk in reference to 1 Sam Ch 1 v14. So while the prophet Eli would bless Hannah's prayers, Eli must not shared the caring empathy his role was asked of him. With that being said, Yahweh or God did bless Hannah's prayers and allowed her to conceive three sons and 2 daughters and the youngest son was Samuel. It turns out that while Eli was a prophet of God, he did not apply the same teachings to his family or specifically his sons. The passage explains in v12-17 how Eli's sons would misuse the sacrifices offered to God and have sex with the women who were serving the temple. Eli was fully aware of this and he confronted his sons about it in v23-25. In v25, it also states "Eli's sons would not listen to him" as they were aware that the Lord had decided to put them to death. While this is taking place, Samuel is growing and being in favor of the Lord.

Personal Reflection:

There's two things that stand out really conspicuous and apparent. The first being patience and faithful in the things that you want in life, but taking it a step further, on the things that you want in life, the number one question is "does it glorify God?" For being barren, Hannah was desperate for God and did everything she could possibly do to seek God and pray to Him on being blessed with not just a child but namely a son. Sure, Hannah's intention may have been selfish, too, on gaining status and significance, but it's about Hannah's attitude and unwavering faith and constant and consistent and devoted prayer that has allowed God to honor Hannah's prayer request. Is there something so desperate in my life right now that I'm praying for that would be similar or close to the playing level that Hannah was praying for. We already Hannah was praying for a son and in her case, it would be considered impossible as she was considered barren; therefore, the odds were clearly against her, and in her case, the only thing that would allow her to become pregnant would be God as they did not have the type of technology nor medicine that we do in today's era. Right now, getting a new home for my family is the prayer request that I've been praying for quite some time (roughly 7 years). I do have my selfish reasons as to why I want a new home, but the bigger question that I know I need to ask myself is if God was to bless me with a new home, "would I be glorifying God?" and "am I pouring out my heart to the same level as Hannah did?"

The second point is being a disciplined father and not the lackluster father that Eli was with his sons. Eli knew in crystal manner the consequences behind his sons' actions but what's worse in Eli's case is how Eli did little about it. It's easy for Eli to go to his sons and scold them about their wrongdoings but not correcting them nor repenting results in death. The implication behind Eli's lack of discipline and action contributed to a spiritual crisis. Imagine in today's age, if a head pastor of a church allowed his children to misuse the scripture for their own pleasure? Unfortunately (understatement), this is taking place in a lot of cults, fake Christian churches, and even in true Christian churches themselves. I'm a father of two children, and they both believe in God and they understand what Jesus did for us on the cross, but it's part of my responsibility to make sure that they grow up in a disciplined manner and for them to not misuse the scripture for their own personal, selfish desires. I would not be able to face Jesus during my judgment day if my children were not disciplined and Jesus asked me about it. It would be a sin if I did not discipline my children and overall correct any sinful behavior.

Application:

I need to pray for patience in both my prayer request for a new home and patience in my children's maturity. I also need to pray for understanding, sympathy and overall real agape love. I see myself getting angry and allowing my anger get in the way of my action where I scold my children for any mistake regardless the scale of their mistakes. I want to try to encourage them and help them learn from their mistakes. I, also, see myself behaving the same way my father was acting when he was in the same position I am right now. I told myself I would be a different father but instead I'm following the same method or practice he instilled when he was my age. As for my prayer on my new home, I need to humble myself before the Lord. Hannah poured out her heart to God and she believed like no other that if there was anyone to help her become pregnant it would be her sacrifices she made to God. When I prayed for a new home years ago, a question popped up in my head "is what you have not enough?" Of course, I would answer yes, but deep down, both God and I knew that I want something bigger (in other words, more). And this was when God has already provided both June and I a home. It's a condo but with our children growing, we want them to have their own space. Albeit, there are several families who do not have the opportunity to offer nor provide their families even with one room nor a roof over their heads. I need to pray for patience where everything is in God's hands and God's timing. I need to pray for faith where I know that wherever God is leading me and my family is good. I need to pray for discernment that during my prayers, I know for a fact I am listening to God's voice when He decides to reveal Himself to me in whatever capacity.