WE begin now a period in the history of Israel which records the end of the period of the judges, and the beginning of the period when God granted kings to Israel. Samuel was the last of the judges. The book ends with death of Saul, Israel's first king. Samuel came from the tribe of Levi. His family is recorded for us in 1 Chronicles 6:22-28 and 33-34. This chapter in Chronicles is a record of the tribe of Levi. The history of Samuel does not really refer to him as a priest, but in his capacity as judge in Israel, who followed after Eli.

The condition of Israel spiritually and national was low.

1 Samuel 1:1-20.

The birth of Samuel is a very moving and human story. For a woman to be childless in Israel was a great disgrace, and perhaps thought to be a sign of God's displeasure. Hannah is naturally most upset because she is barren, and as she was the favourite wife of Elkanah, her husband, the other wife who had children used Hannah's inability to conceive to torment her.

In Hannah's approach to her problem we see that she was a godly woman, as was Elkanah her husband.

We have the moving story of how she brought her grief to the Lord in prayer, how Eli interprets her silent praying as drunkenness, and how Eli hears the truth and gives Hannah a blessing.

God answers Hannah's prayer, and it is plain that from the time of her prayer and blessing in the temple, Hannah had no doubt that God would answer her prayer.

For our discussion we can share together on how Hannah dealt with her problem and sorrow, on how she brought the matter to God in prayer and her attitude to prayer, and on her faith in God to answer her prayer.

The thing that we will probably find strange was Hannah's vow to give her son to God to be dedicated to the Lord as a Nazarite (ch.1:11).

This promise she carried out as we are told in these verses. A child was weaned much later in those days. Mothers breast fed their babies up to three years old. So Samuel may have been between 3 and 4 years old when he was surrendered by his mother to be brought up by Eli at the sacred place at Shiloh. We will find it hard to imagine what this must have meant to both Samuel and to Hannah.

From this we see great devotion and commitment to God in Hannah. It challenges us in our commitment to the Lord.

1 Samuel 2:1-11.

This is the prayer Hannah prayed after she had completed her vow. It is a prayer of praise and worship. This was her thanksgiving to God, and an expression of her faith in God. There is an element of great joy in God in the prayer, and of deep worship.