1 Samuel 1:1-11
We come today to the books of Samuel. However, the period of the judges is not over and we shall see two more of them – Eli and Samuel – before the start of the time of the kings. As He did with Samson, God begins by introducing us to the family into which Samuel is to be born. Elkanah was a Levite who lived in mount Ephraim (1 Chronicles 6:33-38). He had two wives – Peninnah and Hannah. This was not according to God’s mind and we shall see what the consequences of this were in this family. There were continual quarrels even to the point that Peninnah can be called Hannah’s adversary. Instead of comforting her because she has not got the child she so desires, Peninnah never stops provoking her "sore". How sad it is to find enemies in a family! What are our relationships like with our brothers and sisters?
Each year Elkanah went up with his family to Shiloh, the centre established by the LORD where the ark of the covenant and the priests were. This time, Hannah brings her sorrow before God in prayer. This was the best thing for her to do. We should do the same, rather than answering back to those who offend us. We shall then be aware that we have to do with the "God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3).