Douglas Jacoby Podcast

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• 'Akh'av (Ahab)-- father's brother or "The Father is my brother" (a claim to be close to God?), 84x in the OT.
• 'Izevel (Jezebel) -- may mean "chaste" (ironic, if so), or (more likely?) refers to the pagan (Canaanite and Phoenician) god Baal (Babylonian Bel). This may even be a wordplay on the word for dung, zebul (see 1 Kings 14:10), which sounds like the word for prince. 23x in the OT.

Further study:

• Ahab: 1 Kings 16-22; 2 Kings 9.
• Jezebel: 1 Kings 16, 18, 19, 21; 2 Kings 9; Revelation 2:20.

Some things we learn about God:

• God’s world is moral. Immoral choices lead to harmful consequences.
• Punishes those who disrespect his word.
• Responds favorably to repentance even on the part of the most hardened sinner.

For kids:

• Why not act out the colorful story of Ahab, Jezebel, and Naboth’s vineyard? You might also want to dramatize the end of Ahab and Jezebel.
  • Characters required: Naboth, Ahab, Jezebel, falsewitnesses.
  • Scenes: Naboth's refusal, Ahab's pouting, Jezebel's scheme, Naboth's wrongly execution, Ahab's death (shot with an arrow), Jezebel's death (thrown out a window).
  • The lesson: If we disobey God's word, sooner or later we will be called to judgment.

Key verses:

• 1 Kings 16:31 – Ahab marries the pagan Jezebel, leading Israel into even greater depravity.
• 1 Kings 18:17 – Ahab doesn’t like the prophet Elijah.
• 1 Kings 21:13 – Ahab and Jezebel murder Naboth (and his sons) to seize his property.
• 1 Kings 21:27 – Ahab responds humbly to Elijah’s words.
• 1 Kings 22:35 – Ahab dies as a result of ignoring the prophet Micaiah’s warning.
• 2 Kings 9:33 – Jezebel is defenestrated.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Rekhav'am (Rehoboam) -- "The people are enlarged." 51x in the O.T.
• Yarav'am (Jeroboam) -- "The people contend." About 100x. (Note: Jeroboam II is another king. Usually in Scripture Jeroboam refers to Jeroaboam son of Nebat, the earlier Jeroboam.)

Further study:

• Passages covered in this podcast:
  • 1 Kings 11:26-40, 12:1-33
  • 2 Chronicles 13:6-7
  • Also: 1 Kings 14:1ff; Matthew 11:28-30.
• In addition:
  • 1 Kings 11-15
  • 2 Chronicles 9-13
  • To learn about the monument at Karnak, click here.
  • Trivia: To learn about Jeroboams and Rehoboams (sizes of wine bottles), click here.

Some things we learn about God:

• God knows what will happen – he knows all things. J’s rebellion, R’s immaturity and harshness, even the civil war that would follow. This foreknowledge in no way takes away our responsibility.
• As with Isaac & Ishmael, Jacob & Esau, so with R and J—Judah and Israel—God was still sovereign and worked his mysterious will. That God is working through events never vindicates evil nor even condones compromise.
• There are extremes to be avoided in leadership. God’s word often shows us the fruits of ungodly leadership philosophies.

For kids: For a children's lesson with some great ideas, please click here. As this lesson is from the Mormons, please skip the “scriptures” from Moroni 7.

Key verses:

1 Kings 11:31 – The Lord intends to work through the division of Israel & Judah.

1 Kings 12:13 – Rehoboam takes bad advice, embracing a heavy-handed leadership style.

1 Kings 12:28 – Jeroboam makes golden calves.

2 Chronicles 13:6-7 – Jeroboam rebels, taking advantage of Rehoboam's lack of leadership experience.

Next lesson: Ahab & Jezebel

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Shlomoh (Solomon) -- means peace, wholeness, soundness, welfare
• Appears 302x in the Bible

Further study:

• Covered in the podcast:
  • 2 Samuel 12:24, 7:12ff
  • 1 Kings 1:34, 11:43, 4:29-34
  • Solomonic biblical material: Many Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Canticles, Ps 72, 127
  • 1 Kings 10:1ff, 11:1ff, Deuteronomy 17:16-20

Even deeper:

• See further material in 1-2 Chronicles.
• Solomon turns up 11x in the N.T. – e.g. Matthew 1:6, where we learn he is the direct ancestor of Jesus.
• Learn more about the Wisdom Literature at this link.
• Consider the economics of this king. High import level, low export level, high taxes, forced labor: no wonder that the people revolt under his son, Rehoboam.

Some things we learn about God:

God looks at the heart; he is not impressed by worldly qualities. God seeks those who seek him.

He holds those in leadership positions accountable for a vibrant spiritual life.

God wants a close relationship with us, so we must consciously and conscientiously exert ourselves to know him.

For kids:

• Read the story of Solomon and his wish in 1 Kings 3 (or the parallel passages in 2 Chronicles 1).
• Remind your kid(s) about the story of Aladdin and the lamp. If you had “one wish” (from God), what would you ask for?
• Ask (again), What you would ask for if God gave you “one wish”? Parents explain the concept of being given something, but not knowing how to use it. For example, what if the kids were given a car right now, or an oven. Would they know how to use it wisely, how to take care of it? Talk about the difference between gaining the knowledge to use something and then using it in a wise way.  (Drunk drivers know how to drive, etc.)  Solomon was given the kingdom of God, yet only with wisdom from God could he know how to rule its people.
• Write down a number of wishes and put them in a bowl, have the children pick one, then talk about the knowledge and wisdom needed for each wish. What could he have asked for? What did he ask for?
• What is wisdom? Explain that knowledge means information, whereas wisdom means knowing how to use that knowledge in the right way—in a way that pleases God.

Key verses:

• 2 Samuel 12:24 – Solomon is born.
• Deuteronomy 17:15-20 – Regulations for the kingship
• 1 Kings 4:29-32 – Solomon’s diverse wisdom
• 1 Kings 11:1-2 – In his old age, he drifts spiritually

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Yo'av (Joab) -- Yahweh is father, 140x in the O.T.
• Avi-Shalom (Absalom) -- My father is peace, 109x in O.T.
• Adhoni-Yahu (Adonijah) -- Yahweh is my lord, 24x in O.T. (There are also 2 other Adonijahs)

Further study:

• Passages covered in this podcast
  • 2 Samuel 12:10-11
  • Joab: 2 Samuel 3:21,27-29, 8:15-16; 1 Chronicles 11:6; 2 Samuel 11:14ff; 19:5-7, 20:8-10; 24:3-4 (Exodus 30:12-15); 1 Kings 1:7, 2:32.
  • Absalom: 2 Samuel 13:28-29, 14:24-27, 15:1-7, 18:33 (19:1 in the Hebrew O.T.)
  • Adonijah: 1 Kings 1:5-10,39-41,49-53, 2:13-17,22-23
• ISBE articles, e.g. the one on Joab, may be found here. This Encyclopedia has a lot more information, and it's all free.

Some things we learn about God:

Since God has placed us in a moral world, our sin has ripple effects through large numbers of those with whom we are connected.

God’s choice of leader is often the one we would least expect. David (youngest of his brothers); Solomon (not Adonijah); and many other examples. Consider how often God gives his blessing not to the firstborn, but to a younger brother.

For kids:

Explain who’s who in the family of David, especially his sons Absalom, Solomon, and Adonijah.

Explain that although the Lord had chosen Solomon to become king, not everyone liked this. Then read 2 Samuel 15:10-13, where Absalom positions himself for the throne. Last, read 1 Kings 1:5ff, where Adonijah proclaims himself king.

Ask which plan was God’s will. How do you think David felt each time? How were his other sons (the brothers) feeling?

What happened in the end? What happens when we ignore the will of God in our lives?

Key verses:

• Joab: 2 Samuel 2- 1 Kings 2
• Absalom: 2 Samuel 13-18
• Adonijah: 1 Kings 1-2
• 2 Samuel 12:10 – sword not to depart from David’s household

Next lesson: Solomon

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Dawid or Daweed—David—has a meaning similar to "loveable." He was evidently a very likable person,
  • He was loved by Saul.
  • He was greatly loved by Jonathan.
  • Michal, Saul's daughter, falls in love with him.
• Appears 1137x in the Bible, compared to Abraham (309x) and even Jesus (918x), who is often called the "Son of David"

Further study / review:

• Passages mentioned or read this podcast
  • Ruth 4; 1 Samuel 16:11-13
  • 1 Samuel 16; 17; 18; 23:16; 24; 26; 25; 27; 30:6; 2 Samuel 1; 5:5; 6; 7; 1 Chronicles 28; 2 Samuel 9; 10; 11-12; 13+; 2-; 23; 24; 1 Kings 1; 2:20; Acts 2:34
  • Isaiah 66:2
• Apocryphal Psalm 151
  • Shorter version:  My hands made a harp, my fingers fashioned a lyre / And who will declare it to my Lord? The Lord himself; it is he who hears / It was he who sent his messenger and took me from my father's sheep, and anointed me with his anointing oil / My brothers were handsome and tall, but the Lord was not pleased with them / I went out to meet the Philistine, and he cursed me by his idols / But I drew his own sword; I beheaded him, and removed reproach from the people of Israel.
  • Longer version: see 11QPsa (also called 11Q5)
• Acts 13:22 captures the heart of this great man of God.
  • The Davidic Messianic hope
  • Always viewed the as ideal king.
  • Messiah to be a son of David.
  • David to return (Ezekiel 34), good shepherd (Zechariah 12:7 -- other vv. in Zechariah 12-13)
  • In Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1:6).
  • Jesus is called “Son of David” – Matthew, Mark, Luke.
  • Mentioned in NT Matthew-Luke; Acts; Romans 1:3, 4:16, 11:9; 2 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 4:7, 11:32; Revelation 3:7, 5:5, 22:16.
• There are 3 separate introductions to David:
  • (1) Anointing by Samuel, the man of God.
  • (2) Before Goliath, the blasphemous Philistine warrior.
  • (3) Before Saul, the manic depressive.
• He loses his family.
  • This begins with the consequences of his adultery.
  • Note that David had already been an "absentee father" to his children, much like his own father, Jesse.
• In the final scene, he is an old man, cold and alone (for a while) in bed.
  • In 1 Kings 1:1, he is old—but still referred to as "king."
  • In 1 Kings 2:1, he is only a man dying before God.

Some things we learn about God:

• God seeks in us a responsive heart. He knows we will lapse; our willingness to come back to him is what he seeks. See Jeremiah 8:4.
• We respond to God through his word, and to input for our lives based on his word, channeled through others.
• The Lord sometimes combines gifts of leadership and music in his servants
• God forgives us, but there are still consequences to our sin. He does not “forget.”
• God will use a man or woman of deep conviction. God makes us strong, bold, and capable when we are close to him.

For kids:

• Rework the script of 1 Samuel 17, making it child-friendly. Assign the parts:
  • Saul, who is the king and should be leading the charge but it having young David do the work.
  • Goliath, who is rude and very tall.
  • David, who is offended for God’s sake and is taking a stand for truth.
  • Extra characters: Goliath’s armor-bearer and cowering Israelite soldiers.
• Then act out the parts. Have fun!
• Talk about what you learned.
  • How would you have felt if you had been on the battlefield? Would you have been brave enough to challenge the Philistine giant?
  • What kind of person was David? Saul? Goliath?
  • David took a stand. How do we sometimes need to take a stand? (Do the right think even when others aren’t doing it, and it’s hard. At school (play-group)? In the neighborhood? Even at church?
• Tell the kids that David is mentioned more than 1000x in the Bible. And that he is called “a man after God’s own heart.” And that Jesus is also known as the “Son of David.” He is not just his great great… grandson, but also another individual who was very brave, and cherished his relationship with God.
• Pray as a family.

Key verses:

• 1 Samuel 16:13 -- anointed king for his godly heart.
• 1 Samuel 17:51-- slays Goliath.
• 2 Samuel 11:1ff -- affair with Bathsheba.
• 2 Samuel 12:13 -- accepts Nathan’s correction.
• 2 Samuel 24:1ff -- census, punishment, humble response, and sacrifice.
• Psalm 51 (most famous Psalm)

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Yehonathan (Jonathan) -- "The Lord has given"
• Appears about 90x in the OT. Note: there are many Jonathans in the Bible (about 15). But this character is one of the most likeable figures in the O.T.

Further study:

• Passages covered in this podcast
  • 1 Samuel 13:2; 14:1-13; 18:1-4; 19:1; 20:1ff; 23:15-18; 31:2
  • 2 Samuel 2:12,19-27
• Read also about his son Mephibosheth in 2 Sam 4, 9, and his disloyal servant Ziba, in 2 Samuel 9, 16, 19.

Some things we learn about God:

• Jonathan was a man more worthy than his father to be king. Men of integrity and loyalty do not always end up in leadership, and in fact sometimes they do not survive at all. Contrary to what we would think, God permits this to happen.
• God extends encouragement to us in times of trial, through spiritual and like-minded brothers / sisters.

For kids:

• Ask, Who is your best friend? Which other boys (girls) bring out the best in you? Explain that today we are going to read about two best friends in scripture. Let your kids guess which two characters your study will be about. (Cain and Abel? No. Jesus and Peter? No…)
• Read about Jonathan and David’s friendship in 1 Samuel 23 (and any other passages that would be encouraging and interesting to you children).
• Why were they such good friends? Focus on:
  • Openness
  • Honesty
  • Time together
  • Defending one another
  • Committed to be friends forever.

Key verses:

• 1 Samuel 13:3, 14:1 – Bravery in battle.
• 1 Samuel 23:16 – Helps David find strength in God.
• 1 Samuel 23:17 – Valued his relationship with David over his position as future king.
• 1 Samuel 31:2 – Slain on Mt Gilboa.

Next lesson: David

For more additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Sha’ul – Saul, 422x in the Bible.
  • Note: Saul of Tarsus = 23x; King Saul, 399x. In 1 Sam 9-11, 13-29, 31; 2 Sam 1 etc.
  • Shaul -- mentioned 10x (e.g. Gen 36:37). It is a shame that our English Bibles do not make it clearer when names are repeated.

Further study:

• Passages covered in this podcast:
  • 1 Samuel 9:2; 10:6,9ff,22; 13:10-14; 15:10-13,16-20,22-31,34-35; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 21; 24, 26; 28; 31
  • 2 Samuel 1
• At first, Saul is to be anointed as a "prince" (1 Sam 9:16) -- God is the true king. Further, Saul hardly acts like a king. His qualities appear only it be his family's money and his good looks. He hides among the baggage when it's time to be presented. People don't do what he says (e.g. his soldiers refuse to execute his son, Jonathan; he has forbidden witchcraft, supposedly driving the mediums from the land, but he consults one of these mediums!).
• Further: compare/contrast Saul of Tarsus || Benjamin, persecuted God’s people, but like Peter & Judas, their similarities are outweighed by their differences. One started out well and ended up terrible… the other started out terribly, and ended up a spiritual giant.

Some things we learn about God:

• God’s spirit can change even an unworthy leader into a godly man.
• However, his spirit will never force anyone against his will. We always have a choice.
• God will often leave an unworthy leader in office far past the time we would have thought he must go.
• We are never to attempt to cross the boundary between the living and the dead (séances, necromancy, witchcraft, sorcery).

For kids:

• A lesson on Hiding
  • 1 Samuel 10 (Leadership)
    • How was Saul hiding?
    • What was he supposed to do, and what was he doing instead?
    • Considering he was such a tall man, and called by God to be a leader, how do you think he felt? Why was he not more confident?
  • 1 Samuel 17 (Goliath)
    • How was Saul hiding?
    • What was he supposed to do, and what was he doing instead?
    • Considering he was the king, and God had promised victory, why do you suppose he was acting so strange?
  • Can you remember anyone else in the Bible who hid from God or from what was right?
    • Adam (hid with Eve in the Garden), Cain (hid the truth from the Lord), Moses (behind his brother)…. and many more.
    • Do we ever hide from God? How?
    • Share how you (as an adult) have hidden from God.
    • Is this silly? Does God know where we are?
    • What should we do to be more open and brave?
  • Close with a prayer.
• A lesson on Jealousy (based on his feelings about David, e.g. 18:6-12)
  • Use 1 Samuel 15 and discuss the issue of complete obedience.
  • Game:
    • Parents can have prewritten various small chores and put them in a bowl.
    • Children draw out one for the parents to do.
    • Parents deliberately don’t do all of the chores, and children identify what the parents didn’t do.
    • Parents then make excuses.  Then discuss that this is what Saul did (his disobedience and excuses).
    • Children can then take turns doing the chores (simple, quick ones like "put the pillow on the sofa," or "bring me a glass of water." etc.)
  • Discuss what keeps us from fully obeying.
    • For Saul it was pressure from other people and fear of what they would think.
    • For us it can be peer pressure, as well as laziness etc.
    • Talk about the importance of obedience for adults as well as children – so that children understand that parents have to obey too (bosses, law, government).
  • Discuss why complete obedience is important.
  • Replay the game and everyone completely obey this time round.

Key verses:

• 1 Samuel -- 10:6 Changed by Spirit of God.
• 1 Samuel -- 10:22 But still reluctant to lead.
• 1 Samuel 13, 15, 28 -- Severe disrespect for God’s word.
• 1 Samuel 18 -- Governed by jealousy.
• 1 Samuel 31 - Death on Mt Gilboa.

Next lesson: Jonathan

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Shmu'el (Samuel) -- "Name of God," or "hear by God." Appears 144x in the Bible. (Numbers 34:20 refers to a different person.)
• 'Even-ha'ezer (Ebenezer) -- Stone of help (1 Samuel 4:1, 5:1, 7:12).

Further study:

• Passages covered in this podcast: 1 Samuel 2:26 (Luke 2:52); 3:7,21; 4:1; 7:3-4,15-16; 8-15; 16:1-7; 19; 2 Chronicles 35:18; 1 Samuel 25; 28; Jeremiah 15:1.
• Even more: Psalm 99:6; Acts 13:20; Hebrews 11:32.
• Samuel prophesied the Christ (Acts 3:24). How? Some commentators say this is because Samuel was the last judge and the first prophet. With him the prophetic age began. Moreover, as we saw, he established a prophetic academy (1 Sam 19). This is not to deny that the Spirit of God was moving prophetically through Abraham (Genesis 20:7 etc) and others.
• For more in connection with 1 Samuel 28, where Saul calls on Samuel in the grave, listen to What Happens After We Die?

Some things we learn about God:

• We do not necessarily have to grow up in two-parent nuclear families in order to do well in life. God can still grant us a normal and productive life.
• There are times when the Lord expects us to accept a decision we know is not best must (as in 1 Samuel 8). We do not always get our way, even when we are right
• Even spiritual men and women can fall into sentimentality towards others, failing to think realistically about where they are spiritually.  God challenges such sentimentality. We need to stay soft, kind, and hopeful -- yet realistic and firm on the word of God.

For kids:

• Talk about being chosen – to play on a team, getting a part in a play, to receive a special reward. How does it feel to be chosen? How does it feel to be passer over?
• What qualities are people looking for when they choose someone to play ball, or act in a play, or be nominated for an honor?
• Do the people doing the choosing always make the right choice?
• Read the story of Samuel anointing David in 1 Samuel 16.
  • Explain that Samuel had already anointed the first king, who was very tall – yet lacked spiritual quality.
  • Saul did not do well, and Samuel was sad, but his sadness did not lead him to do anything. He was just down.
  • When it comes time to choose the second king of Israel, does Samuel seem to have learned his lesson?
• How do we (as readers) feel when the little guy, the youngest kid, is the one chosen? Do you understand that it isn’t about how tall you are, or how impressive, but what’s in your heart? God will do great things with anyone whose heart is his.
• Just as Samuel was a young boy serving at the Tabernacle, and God did great things through his life, so it was with David. God can work with people of any age!

Key verses:

• 1 Samuel 2:26 – Spiritual growth in early life.
• 1 Samuel 3:7,21 – Samuel comes to know the Lord through his word.
• 1 Samuel 4:1 – And through Samuel, Israel learns the word of God.
• 1 Samuel 7:16-- He didn’t expect everyone to come to him; he was willing to travel.

Next lesson: Saul, the man Samuel appointed (anointed) to be king.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• 'Eli (ay-LEE)-- Note, despite the similarity, this is not the Hebrew word "my God," as the initial consonant is different (an ayin, not an aleph). Appears 36x in 1 Samuel 1-4.
• 'I-kavod (ee-ka-VODE) -- "There is no glory," or (traditionally) "The glory has departed."

Further study:

• Passages covered in this podcast
  • 1 Samuel 1-4
  • Leviticus 3:17, Isaiah 56:9-12

Some things we learn about God:

• God honors those who honor him (1 Samuel 2:30).
• When parents fail to inculcate discipline and character in their children, the Lord make take over the task.
• God may leave a leader in place for many years, despite glaring weaknesses.
• God's promises may in some cases be nullified by human disobedience. (No one is above the law, or may act with impunity.)

For kids:

• The story of Eli and his sons is a great example of what can happen when Ephesians 6:1-4 is not followed.  Read Ephesians 6:1-4. The concepts of obedience and giving honor can be discussed (for slightly older children).  Also the role of parents can be explained.
• Read selections (parent/s) from the story of Eli, appropriate for the age of the children present.
• Then discuss or act out the story of Eli and his sons.
  • If role-playing: “Hophni” and “Phinehas” are behaving badly; “Eli” is sitting on his “chair” (ideally a cushion); mother or father plays the voice of the Lord; you will also need a little “Samuel.” And (if the brood is large enough), an unnamed "prophet," who can double as the messenger returning from battle. (Probably you will want to skip the final scene involving the birth of Ichabod!)
  • The children can point out where the sons were disobedient and not giving honor. Parents can share how Eli fell short in his role as a parent (2:29).
  • A point of discussion can also be that their disobedience affected more than just themselves. How do they think those who brought sacrifices felt about Eli’s sons. What was their reputation with the people? Talk about how unhappy their disobedience and lack of honor made their relationships with God, Eli and the people.
  • What were the other consequences of their disobedience? Discuss how God’s heart is to want to bless his people (Ephesians 6:3; 1 Samuel 2:27,28), and that suffering consequences of sin is part of learning and is meant to turn us around.  When we don’t respond to correction, as Eli’s sons, all that is left is punishment.

Key verses:

• 1 Samuel 2:25 -- Ineffectual rebuke of his sons.
• 1 Samuel 2:29 -- Honored his sons more than God.
• 1 Samuel 3:2 -- Eli is becoming blind spiritually. (Also 4:15.)
• 1 Samuel 3:18 -- Accepts the Lord's sentence.
• 1 Samuel 4:18 -- Eli is now fat, old, and blind. His leadership is literally overturned.
• 1 Samuel 4:22 -- The glory has departed!

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Channah (Hannah) -- 13x in 1 Samuel 1-2. From chen (HAYN, with a very hard 'h'), which means grace.
• N.T. Anna in the Greek is actually Hannah.
• Shmuel (Samuel) -- her son

Further study:

• Passages covered in this podcast
  • 1 Samuel 1:1-2:18
  • Referred to: Genesis 29-30, Numbers 6, Deuteronomy 16:16, Psalm 113:7, Luke 1:46-55
• Parenting study: See the analysis of Elkanah and Hannah in the chapter on the Nazirites in The Quiver.

Some things we learn about God:

• God hears prayer, though sometimes he leaves us waiting a painfully long time.
• Being spiritual is no guarantee of God's blessings, or even that life will be fair.
• God will take care of our children, even when church leadership is not as spiritual is it should be. We mustn't put our hope in the arm of flesh, but in the arm of the Lord.

For kids:

• Read selections from 1 Samuel 1-2, depending on the age and maturity of the children in the devotional / discussion. Introduce the major characters. Elkanah is the husband. How many wives does he have? How many children does Peninnah have? (At least four.) How about Hannah? (None.) How do you think that made her feel?
• Talk about teasing. Role-play: One child plays sad Hannah, the other taunting Peninnah. Why was it unkind of Peninnah to tease her sister? Does Hannah tease her back when God gives her children?
• Talk about prayer. In the ancient world, most people prayed aloud. And read aloud (see the Ethiopian in Acts 8). That’s why it looked funny to Eli; he saw her lips moving, but without any sound. What did he suspect she had been up to? How do you best pray – aloud or silently?
• Talk about Samuel. How would you have felt if your mother had delivered you to church when you were three years old, and then only visited you once a year? Deep question: What if Hannah had never prayer her prayer, promising Samuel as an assistant to the priest at Shiloh? Then he might never have been born. Which was better: to be born, though separated from his family after a few years, or for him never to be born? Can God work through difficult situations and hard times, and can we still end up happy people with good lives? (Of course!)
• Pray about the lessons we can learn from the family of Elkanah.

Key verses:

• 1 Samuel 1:7 – Hannah’s rival continues to provoke her for her inability to conceive.
• 1 Samuel 1:11ff – Hannah offers her (prospective) son as a Nazirite. Eli misinterprets her prayer.
• 1 Samuel 1:20 – Samuel is born.
• 1 Samuel 1:28 – Hannah relinquishes her son to the care of Eli.
• 1 Samuel 2:21 – Hannah has five additional children.

Next lesson: Eli