Free group study handout
1 Samuel 1: Group Study Handout
How to use: read 1 Samuel 1 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
Elkanah, from Ramathaim Zophim, has two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah has children while Hannah does not (vv. 1-2).
Key verse
“She vowed a vow, and said, “Yahweh of Armies, if you will indeed look at the affliction of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a boy, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and no razor shall come on his head.”
1 Samuel 1:11 (WEB)
Outline
- 1 Samuel 1:1–2 Introduction of Elkanah and His Wives
- 1 Samuel 1:3–8 Annual Worship and Hannah's Distress
- 1 Samuel 1:9–14 Hannah's Prayer and Eli's Misunderstanding
- 1 Samuel 1:15–18 Eli's Blessing and Hannah's Relief
- 1 Samuel 1:19–23 Conception and Commitment
- 1 Samuel 1:24–28 Hannah Dedicates Samuel to the Lord
Discussion questions
- In v2, who is identified as having children and who is not?
- In v9, what does Eli observe about Hannah's actions at Yahweh’s temple?
- Hannah's vow in v11: what does she mean by 'no razor shall come on his head'?
- Eli's misunderstanding in v13: what does this tell us about his perception of worship?
- When have you felt deep sorrow like Hannah in v10, and how did you express it?
Go deeper
Passages that echo 1 Samuel 1: Philippians 4, 1 Peter 5, Luke 1.
Before next time: read 1 Samuel 2.