1 Samuel 2: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Samuel 2 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Hannah prays a song of praise, exalting Yahweh for His holiness and justice (vv. 1-10). She acknowledges Yahweh's power to reverse fortunes, lifting the humble and bringing down the proud.

Key verse

“Those who strive with Yahweh shall be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them in the sky. “Yahweh will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
1 Samuel 2:10 (WEB)

Outline

1 Samuel 2:1–10 Hannah's Prayer of Praise
1 Samuel 2:11–21 Samuel's Service and Family Blessing
1 Samuel 2:22–25 Eli's Confrontation with His Sons
1 Samuel 2:26–36 Prophetic Judgment Against Eli

Discussion questions

In v1, what causes Hannah's heart to exult and her mouth to be enlarged?
In v12, how does the text describe the sons of Eli?
Eli's warning in vv. 24-25: why do his sons not listen to his voice?
In v30, what does God mean by saying, 'those who honor me I will honor'?
When have you seen someone dishonor a commitment to God, as Eli's sons did?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Samuel 2: Luke 1, Deuteronomy 32, Luke 2.

Before next time: read 1 Samuel 3.