Thoughts from 1 Samuel 1-3
It was a time of spiritual dysfunction. The priest Eil had two sons serving as priests who did not know the Lord. They stole offerings & committed adultery with women who volunteered at the temple. Eli chastised them but did not remove them from ministry.
Note: what we tolerate we eventually celebrate.
Hannah prayed fervently for God to end her barrenness. Her husband was a Levite, yet it was not he who prayed fervently, but his wife. Perhaps he was not as concerned as Hannah because he had a second wife who bore him children. Hannah was grieved while Elkanah was content.
Note: fervent prayer comes from a broken heart, never a contented heart.
Samuel was born to a mother who deeply wanted him & who prayed fervently to God. Given to Eli to be trained for temple service at age 3, Samuel grew up around the spiritual dysfunction of Eli’s two sons as role models. It must have been the effect of his praying mother, for Samuel grew to be a young man with God’s touch on his life, and he would become the key spiritual leader in the country who would anoint two kings.
Note: the power of fervent prayer is greater than the influence of evil & will have effect far into the future.