Chapter Summary

Hannah's prophetic prayer. Evil sons of Eli. Samuel in the tabernacle. The warning to Eli.

Discussion Questions for 1 Samuel, Chapter 2

1. Hannah's song bears much in common with another woman who, upon receiving a promise from God, sings in His praise. Compare Hannah's song with Luke 1: 46-55. What similarities do you see? What do both of these songs teach us?
2. What does Hannah's heart rejoice in? Why is the source of her joy not in the child that she has received? What does this reveal about Hannah's motive in making her original request?
3. The Hebrew image of a horn (vs. 1, NIV) is a sign of strength. How has God been Hannah's strength? In what ways does God act as your strength?
4. Hannah presents a series of contrasts in the song. What do these opposites reveal about God's character and what he values? In what ways do you see Christ portrayed in Hannah's song?
5. Compare Hannah's devotion to God with the description of Eli's wicked sons. How do they show 'no regard' for God (NIV)? How does their lack of regard for God affect the way they perform their duties and serve their people?
6. Multiple references are made to Samuel growing up 'before the Lord' and 'in the presence of the Lord' (NIV). How does this connect to the idea that being with God changes the heart and attitude of a person? How do these references relate to the idea of obedience?
7. Eli hears about his son's actions and rebukes them, but is his response as both the head priest and their father appropriate? Why/why not?
8. Rather than talk to Eli directly, God sends a 'man of God' to him. What does this suggest about the relationship between God and Eli? Given Eli's role in Israel, how is this problematic?
9. What points does the man of God raise with Eli? What have Eli's sons done? Is Eli complicit in their sins? What will be the results for Eli's family? Is God's response appropriate? Why/why not?
10. What does it mean that God is holy? In what ways do we take God's holiness for granted?

Key Words/Phrase

Evil sons, v. 23.

Characters

God, Hannah, Eli, Samuel, Hophni, Phinehas, Elkanah, a prophet.

Strong Verse(s)

2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 30.