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God Calls the Child Samuel
This chapter is based on 1 Samuel 1; 2:1-11.
Elkanah, a Levite from Mount Ephraim, was a wealthy and
influential man who loved and respected the Lord. His wife, Hannah,
was a woman of heartfelt devotion and strong faith.
Their home was childless, so the husband took a second wife.
But this step, prompted by lack of faith in God, did not bring happi-
ness. Sons and daughters were added to the home, but the joy and
beauty of the sacred marriage institution had been spoiled and the
peace of the family broken.
Peninnah, the new wife, was jealous and narrow-minded and
acted proud and disrespectful. To Hannah, hope seemed crushed and
life was a weary burden; yet she faced her pain with uncomplaining
meekness.
Elkanah’s services as a Levite were not required at Shiloh, but
he went up with his family to worship and sacrifice at the regular
gatherings. Even during the sacred festivities connected with the
service of God, the evil spirit that had cursed his home intruded.
After presenting the thank offerings, all the family, according to
the custom, united in a solemn yet joyous feast. Elkanah gave the
mother of his children a portion for herself and for each of her sons
and daughters. He gave Hannah a double portion to show that his
affection for her was the same as if she had had a son. Then the
second wife, fired with jealousy, claimed first place as one that God
had highly favored, and she taunted Hannah about her childless
condition.
This happened year after year until Hannah could no longer bear
it. She wept uncontrollably and left the feast. Her husband tried to
comfort her, but without success. “Why do you weep? Why do you
not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am not I better to you than
ten sons?”
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