1 Samuel 2:11-26 | Food for Thought

 

1 Samuel 2:11-26

Food for Thought:

  • Robbing from the God who provides. This passage switches back and forth between 1) Eli and his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, and 2) Hannah, Elkanah, and Samuel. We see a family of priests, whom the Lord had provided for (housing, allotted food from sacrifices, etc.) according to the Law through their service in the temple, and a family of worshipers, provided for (children!) through their dependence on and devotion to the Lord.

    • How did Eli’s sons respond to God’s provision? With sacrifice? Obedience? Or something else?

    • Contrast this with Hannah’s response to her lack of a child, because the Lord had closed her womb. How did she respond to what the Lord hadn’t provided in chapter one? How did she respond when the Lord did provide her with what she asked?

    • If part of a life of true worship is sacrifice, then how could these two families not be any more different?

    • What does this reveal about God’s provision? Is it an indication of our hearts (as if we’d earned something from him) or an indication of his heart?

    • Application: Is it wrong to want more from the Lord when he’s already provided?

    • Application: How does entitlement show up in our own hearts? What do we think we deserve in this life - whether or not we have it?

    • Application: God’s provision doesn’t equal God’s approval. How, then, should we receive everything that he provides?

  • “Dressing” one another for the Lord. Both Eli and Hannah encouraged their children in their service to the Lord - albeit in different ways. Even though Samuel’s garments were “meager,” he dressed himself in the favor and righteousness of the Lord. Eli’s sons, however, couldn’t have cared less about the Lord. Despite wearing all the priestly garments, they were dressed in unrighteousness.

    • How did Hannah encourage Samuel’s devotion to the Lord? How did Eli (…sort of)?

    • What can you tell is important to Hannah and Eli by the way they encouraged their kids?

    • What spurred Hannah and Eli to engage their children? How is it different, and why does it matter?

    • Application: What would people say is important to you based on what you encourage people in / what causes you to confront a problem?

    • Application: What do you encourage others in? What do you give people (with your words, actions, advice, counsel, etc.)? What do you affirm or applaud people most in?

    • Application: What causes you to final address a problem or an issue? Are you someone who only shows up with negative feedback because it makes you look bad?

  • Leaders shape our worship. While we don’t worship leaders, leaders in the church absolutely can shape our experience of worship, our perception of the Lord and his people, etc.

    • How did Eli’s sons impact people’s worship? Can you imagine what it would’ve been like had you been one of the ones “served” by them?

    • How have leaders in the church impacted you - for better or for worse?

    • What do you look for in church leaders? (1 Timothy 3:1-13) Why are those qualifications so important?

 
1 SamuelScott O'Donohoe