Interacting with Samuel, Part 1

Many of us read the Bible often, but do we truly interact with what we read? Or more importantly, do we truly interact with God, Who is the Author of what we read? In the series that begins with this post, we'll be reading through the two Books of Samuel slowly and carefully. For each chapter, I'll provide a set of questions designed to help us enter into a conversation with the text and with God. These question sets will not replace a commentary (I suggest the Navarre Bible and/or the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible), but they will lead us to reflect more deeply on God's Word.

1 Samuel 1

* What do you think about Hannah's position as the childless wife? How does it affect her character? How is God using her situation? What is He trying to teach her?

*Why is Peninnah so nasty to Hannah?

*Why do Elkanah's attempts to comfort Hannah fail?

*What motives lie behind Hannah's vow?

*Why does Eli so easily misjudge Hannah's silent prayer? What do you think about Hannah's response to Eli? What does their interaction show us about them?

*What does it mean that the Lord “remembered” Hannah?

*How do you think Hannah must have felt when she left her son, Samuel, with Eli? Why did she do it?

1 Samuel 2

*What are some similarities and differences between Hannah's song and Mary's Magnificat?

*What evidence does Hannah provide about God's control over the lives of His people?

*How does Hannah act as a prophet?

*What is at the heart of the sins of Eli's sons?

*How is Hannah rewarded for her generosity?

*Why is Eli held responsible for the sins of his sons?

*How does God's punishment (as foretold by the nameless prophet) perfectly fit the crimes of Eli and his sons?

*Who is the faithful priest God predicts through the nameless prophet (as prophecy often has more than one level, there may be more than one answer)?