Not-So-Quiet-Time: 1 Samuel 2
At-Home Bible Guide for the Week of 5/3
Day 1: Verses 1-11
In chapter one, Hannah prayed out of her distress. And here in chapter two, we see her praying out of her joy. The time is always right for prayer. As Paul taught, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17). The Bible talks in different places about our inclination to forget about God when things are going well. However, we must see that God is the great giver of every gift. And it is good and right for us to pray praise back to Him. What will you praise Him for today?
Day 2: Verses 12-17
Eli’s sons were employed as priests. They had the tasks of helping people worship and seek the Lord. However, their actions did not line up with their assignment. Rather than serving the Lord, they used the gifts of the people to serve themselves. They pressured the people to do wrong and “treated the offering of the Lord with contempt” (17). Though they worked in the Lord’s house, they were far from the Lord’s heart. We must all be careful not to mistake coming to church with loving the Lord. Take a moment to examine your own heart. Pray with David: “ Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps 139:24).
Day 3: Verses 18-21
Samuel stands as a stark contrast to Eli’s sons. They didn’t honor the Lord, but Samuel “grew in the presence of the Lord” (21). And he was encouraged in this growth by his family. His mother supported him every year by making him a special robe to be used as he served the Lord. In what ways can you support your family in seeking and serving the Lord?
Day 4: Verses 22-26
I am haunted by the words in verse 22: Eli “kept hearing” about the evil constantly committed by his sons. He became aware of the pattern of their lives and he continued to hear about it. Finally, he confronted them, but “they would not listen to the voice of their father” (25). We must not wait to lovingly, but firmly confront our own sin or sin in the lives of those whom God has given to us. Galatians 6:1 says, if anyone is caught in sin, “you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” Pray that God would give you wisdom to fight sin in your life and in your family.
Day 5: Verses 27-36
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). Here we see the consequences of sin in Eli’s family. However, in this judgement, there is also the promise of a coming Messiah. These corrupt priests will one day be replaced with Jesus—the Great High Priest. God promised, “I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever” (35). Thank God for Jesus.
Catechism Connection: 100-107
God has given us the Lord’s prayer to help us pray with praise, dependence, and confession, asking for guidance and God’s will to be done. Pray the Lord’s Prayer slowly and consider what each part means for your life.
Monthly Memory: Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Day 1: Verses 1-11
In chapter one, Hannah prayed out of her distress. And here in chapter two, we see her praying out of her joy. The time is always right for prayer. As Paul taught, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17). The Bible talks in different places about our inclination to forget about God when things are going well. However, we must see that God is the great giver of every gift. And it is good and right for us to pray praise back to Him. What will you praise Him for today?
Day 2: Verses 12-17
Eli’s sons were employed as priests. They had the tasks of helping people worship and seek the Lord. However, their actions did not line up with their assignment. Rather than serving the Lord, they used the gifts of the people to serve themselves. They pressured the people to do wrong and “treated the offering of the Lord with contempt” (17). Though they worked in the Lord’s house, they were far from the Lord’s heart. We must all be careful not to mistake coming to church with loving the Lord. Take a moment to examine your own heart. Pray with David: “ Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps 139:24).
Day 3: Verses 18-21
Samuel stands as a stark contrast to Eli’s sons. They didn’t honor the Lord, but Samuel “grew in the presence of the Lord” (21). And he was encouraged in this growth by his family. His mother supported him every year by making him a special robe to be used as he served the Lord. In what ways can you support your family in seeking and serving the Lord?
Day 4: Verses 22-26
I am haunted by the words in verse 22: Eli “kept hearing” about the evil constantly committed by his sons. He became aware of the pattern of their lives and he continued to hear about it. Finally, he confronted them, but “they would not listen to the voice of their father” (25). We must not wait to lovingly, but firmly confront our own sin or sin in the lives of those whom God has given to us. Galatians 6:1 says, if anyone is caught in sin, “you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” Pray that God would give you wisdom to fight sin in your life and in your family.
Day 5: Verses 27-36
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). Here we see the consequences of sin in Eli’s family. However, in this judgement, there is also the promise of a coming Messiah. These corrupt priests will one day be replaced with Jesus—the Great High Priest. God promised, “I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever” (35). Thank God for Jesus.
Catechism Connection: 100-107
God has given us the Lord’s prayer to help us pray with praise, dependence, and confession, asking for guidance and God’s will to be done. Pray the Lord’s Prayer slowly and consider what each part means for your life.
Monthly Memory: Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
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