While Elkanah was worshipping (1:28) his wife Hannah was praying and praising God. Compare this passage with two other well known biblical passages, Mary's song (Lk. 1:46-55) and Deborah's song of (Judg. 5:1-31). In all three cases, the women praise God for His victory and for honoring the prayers of the humble. It is also at this point worthy to note the prophetical applications found here and in Deborah's song.

As already pointed out, Hannah and Elkanah both are wonderful examples of truly godly parents. Of course Samuel was the product of this blessed relationship. However, much of chapter two serve as a solemn warning and contrast that we all might learn from. The home of the priest Eli apparently was' not the spiritual sanctuary that Elkanah's home was. Eli had to bear the grave disappointment of losing his spiritual influence over his sons.

OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER:

I. HANNAH'S SONG OF PRAISE (1-11)

II. THE EVIL SONS OF ELI (12-17)

III. SAMUEL'S EARLY MINISTRY (18-26).

IV. JUDGMENT PRONOUNCED AGAINST ELI AND SONS (27-36).

I. HANNAH'S SONG OF PRAISE

The passage is prophetical. There is a multitude of prophetical passages in 1 and 2 Samuel. Many of the prophesies are found in type but others, as in this case, are very straight forward prophesies of things to come. The passage begins with a word of praise and thanksgiving, but immediately in verse two Hannah goes thousands of years into the future. neither is there any rock like our God." Hannah refers to the Rock of (Deut. 32). Note the Rock is found in a Second Coming context. (Deut. 32:4,15,18,30,31,35,39) See also (1 Cor. 10:1-4).

The beginning of (vs. 3) seems to be a reference to Anti-Christ. Revelation (13:5; Dan. 7:8,11, 20,25; 11:36). Verses (4 & 5) have nothing to do with the immediate situation. Note the resurrection in verse 6. The tip off is found in verse 8, "the throne of glory" (see Matt. 25: 31; 19:28) and (vs. 10), "his anointed." (Lk. 2:26; Acts 4:26) Note also the preservation of saints, (vs. 9), the Great White Throne Judgment, (vs. 10). With this in mind you might go back to (Judg. 5) and reexamine the context.

 

II. THE EVIL SONS OF ELI

The remainder of chapter two makes very sorry reading. Two thoughts dominate the rest of the chapter; one, the excesses of young 'clergyman' as Mr. Blackwood puts it in his commentary, and two, the five different times that Samuel and the sons of Eli are contrasted.

The sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas (1 Sam. 1:3), were "sons of Belial." The name carries a sense of "worthlessness." There is here no suggestion of a proper name. 'Belial' has acquired the meaning of Satan or Anti-Christ. The root word displays the idea of wicked, useless, of no profit. The general rule is that children will usually follow in the spiritual footsteps of a father. The problem with Eli was that he knew that his sons were using the office of the priesthood for their own political and material gain and he closed his eyes to it. Consequently, God indicts Eli for honoring his sons above him (29).

Another striking thought is that these men "knew not the Lord" and were leading the people in spiritual things. There are at least three besetting sins of those who are young and in God's service. First, unbelief; second, the love of money; lastly, familiarity. The young man may lose sight of his purposes and goals in the ministry. It becomes his job or a "racket", the work becomes mechanical, routine and consequently fleshly and totally self motivated (Mal. 1:6,7,13).

The horrible result of the sin of Hophni and Phinehas was that because of their selfishness, greed and insincerity, the people could see that the ministry had become a "racket", the reality and purpose was lost and "men abhorred the offering of the Lord". (17). See (Leviticus 3:3,4,10-16:7).

 

III. SAMUEL'S EARLY MINISTRY

"But Samuel ministered before the Lord..." Despite the vile example of Hophni and Phinehas, the boy Samuel kept his hands and heart clean before God. "...girded with a linen ephod." (2 Sam. 6:14; Ex. 28:6-12).

Note the benevolence of the Lord. Hannah was barren, she prayed for Samuel and gave him away to the Lord. God responded by giving her three sons and two daughters. Try to out give the giver. (Lk. 6:38)

Eli confronts his sons about their sin and wickedness. Eli is getting old and his sons are getting older. They are set in their ways. They have chosen the course they are taking. The chapter brings out the three great enemies of the minister of God, the lust for power, money and women. Invariably any preacher that has, fallen will have fallen to one of these ... with one exception ... where is Eli's wife? Lack of support from one's "better half" can cause the ruin of the man of God.

Samuel is a tremendous picture of Jesus Christ. Luke (2:52) says, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man." Compare with (vs. 26). Proverbs (3:3,4) says, "...mercy and truth...write them upon thine heart: so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man." "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right" (Proverbs 20:11). "When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him."

 

IV. JUDGMENT PRONOUNCED AGAINST ELI AND SONS

An unnamed man of God pronounces judgment on Eli and his sons. Like many parents Eli seemed to have control and influence over others while his own children went their errant way. One of the greatest dilemmas a parent faces is "where do I draw the line?" It appears that Eli had made a gross error right from the beginning. Had they shown, as children, any sincere love and concern for God and His work?

We are again reminded that we should not hastily ordain young men into the gospel ministry and needlessly take the chance of dragging the name of Christ through the mud.

In later years, Saul killed many of Eli's descendants (1 Sam. 22:17-20), and later Solomon fulfilled the prophecy of (1 Sam. 2:31-37) by replacing Eli's family (Abiathar) with the family of Zadok (1 Ki. 2:26-27,35). Of course the "faithful priest" of verse 35 refers immediately to Samuel, but finds a 'typical' fulfillment in our great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb. 3:1).

The prophet tells Eli that the men of his family will never live to be old and Hophni and Phinehas would both be killed the same day, fulfilled in (4:11).

"Mine anointed forever..." (1 Sam. 2:10; 2 Sam. 22:51; Lk. 2:26).