2020.02.19 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Samuel 2:1–10

Read 1 Samuel 2:1–10

Questions from the Scripture text: What does Hannah do at Shiloh, when giving Samuel to the Lord (1 Samuel 2:1)? What does her heart do? What is she able to do to her enemies? Why? What two things does she identify as unique about God (1 Samuel 2:2)? What does she caution against (1 Samuel 2:3)? Why should we watch carefully against arrogance? What happens to the strongest (1 Samuel 2:4-5)? What often happens to the weakest? Who does this (1 Samuel 2:6-7)? To whom does He pay special attention (1 Samuel 2:8-9)? What will happen to God’s enemies (1 Samuel 2:10)? Upon Whom does the conclusion of the prayer focus)? Who would later pray in a similar way in a similar situation (cf. Luke 1:51-55)?

The Holy Spirit gives us here, on Hannah’s lips, a model for responding to merciful providence in our life.

The first thing that she does is rejoice in the Lord Himself in His specific mercies to her (1 Samuel 2:1-3). He shows His character in every single thing in our lives. So, let us learn to reason from what He does in my life to who He is from all eternity to all eternity. And let us glory not so much in the details as in Him Himself.

Next, she highlights the fact that, just as the Lord has displayed His character in the details of His life, so also He has done this in His great acts throughout history (1 Samuel 2:4-8). Scripture often urges us to remember God’s wonderful works, so that we may praise Him repeatedly for these displays of His character.

Finally, she focuses especially upon the Lord’s eternally saving goodness to His church (1 Samuel 2:9), through His anointed King—the Lord Jesus (1 Samuel 2:10). This is the ultimate and eternal display of His goodness. The good that the Lord does in our lives and the good that He does in history all points to—and is part of—His saving work for the glory of Christ.

Ultimately, that’s where all of God’s goodness should take us—His eternal goodness in Christ. Let our prayers of thanksgiving and joy start with His goodness to us, and survey many of His great works of goodness in history. But, let our prayers and songs run quickly to the eternal goodness of God to His elect in Christ!

What is one recent example of God’s goodness to you?
What would it look like to pray this about that?

Suggested Songs: ARP146 “Praise the Lord” or TPH245 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”