Sometimes we read a story over and over again, learning some valuable lessons, only later to read the same story and learn something totally different. I find that each time I read the story of Samuel, I learn things that surprise me. That is one of the reasons God’s Word is so profitable.

Hannah’s desire for a child made all of these lessons possible. Had she not consistently prayed for God to give her a son, these lessons might not be there for us today. We find these lessons in the first three chapters of First Samuel. I invite you to read through them as we study these lessons together.

Many years ago, I made notations in my Bible of these lessons. I’m not sure where I found them, but I think they are worth sharing.

The first two lessons we learn are from Hannah’s dismay over wanting a son and not being able to conceive. Lesson number one is, life is not always fair. Peninnah, another wife of Elkanah, had both sons and daughters. It doesn’t seem fair that she should be so blessed, and Hannah was deprived of that joy. James tells us that we should count it joy when we have trials of any kind. This is a testing of our faith, and it produces steadfastness (James 1:3).

The second lesson also comes before the birth of Samuel. Favoritism is never a good thing. When Peninnah, Hannah, and Elkanah went to offer sacrifices to God, Elkanah gave Hannah a double portion. This, of course, caused many issues between the women. The Scripture says that Elkanah loved Hannah more. This only added fuel to an already raging fire of hostility.

Because Hannah felt so wounded by Peninnah’s attitude and verbal abuse, she cried and refused to eat. The indication is that she did not want to worship. Lesson three for us is that ridicule is no excuse for not serving God. In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus said those who are persecuted for His sake will inherit the kingdom of heaven. We will be blessed if we can endure ugly things that are said about to or about us.

Lesson four is something we learn from the way Hannah speaks to God about her desire for a son. She makes promises to God that we see her carry out once her son is born. She does not fail to keep every promise she makes. Our lesson is simply, be prepared before you have a child. The psalmist says children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:1), so preparation is an essential part of planning for a family.

Hannah gives us a most valuable lesson with point number five. God hears the prayers of the faithful; according to James, fervent prayers are required (James 5:16-17). Being earnest and sincere are necessary, and we see these attitudes in Hannah’s prayer.

So, Samuel was born and lovingly cared for by his mother until he was weaned. As Hannah promised, she took him to Eli, the priest, and gave him in service to God. Eli had sons of his own. Lesson six is found in these sons. Eli’s sons were wicked. They did not minister to the worshippers according to God’s law. They would certainly have been taught the proper way to serve as priests, but they defiled God’s law. This lesson is one many parents have experienced. Being taught the truth does not guarantee faithfulness. Though we wish our children would do what they have been taught, all of us know parents who are struggling with seeing the sins of their children.

Solomon says training up a child in the way he should go will result in his not departing from that training. That is a general rule and is a reinforcement of the command God gave the children of Israel regarding their children. Sadly, we know that some children do not stay faithful forever. Even Isaiah said that he had brought up children, but they rebelled against him (Isaiah 1:2). Later, Samuel’s sons did the same thing.

Lesson seven is found in the third chapter, the place where we find information about Samuel’s growth. He grew in favor of God and men (verse 26). Does that verse sound familiar? It is similar to the one in Luke 2:53 about the growth of Jesus. Given the circumstances under which each grew up, Samuel and Jesus, our lesson is that you can overcome bad influences. We know there were bad influences in the world, yet each of them resisted them.

While living with Eli, God appeared to this young man and asked him to deliver a message to Eli. He was quite surprised to find that the Lord would choose him, but he listened to the message and delivered it just as God had given it to him. Lesson eight is listening when God calls. We know He isn’t going to speak directly to us the way He did to Samuel, but He does speak to us through Scripture. We need to read and study His Word with an open mind and do what He says, not what we choose to do.

Our last two lessons are found in the second chapter of First Samuel. As a mother, I find it difficult to imagine turning a small child over to anyone. Hannah begged for a child, God answered her prayer, and she gave him back to God. Later, the Lord gave Hannah three sons and two daughters. That should say to us, when you ask God in the right way, He will give you more than you ask for. That does not mean we will get everything we request. Remember, I said we need to ask in the right way. He will give us what is best for us no matter what.

Our final lesson is found in verse 29 of chapter 2. When we see wrong, we have to speak up for what is right. Eli saw the sins of his sons, and he didn’t do anything about them. God said that he honored his sons above Him. Read Second Timothy 2:15 and First Peter 3:15-17. We need to always be ready to defend the truth.

It is now time to put our lessons learned into practice. This story serves as a great example of how we should live and thus be pleasing to God.

Sandra Oliver