Hannah’s Prayer of Praise

1 Samuel 2:1-10 NLT
^2:1 Then Hannah prayed:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord!
The Lord has made me strong.
Now I have an answer for my enemies;
I rejoice because you rescued me.
² No one is holy like the Lord!
There is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
³ “Stop acting so proud and haughty!
Don’t speak with such arrogance!
For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done;
he will judge your actions.
⁴ The bow of the mighty is now broken,
and those who stumbled are now strong.
⁵ Those who were well fed are now starving,
and those who were starving are now full.
The childless woman now has seven children,
and the woman with many children wastes away.
⁶ The Lord gives both death and life;
he brings some down to the grave but raises others up.
⁷ The Lord makes some poor and others rich;
he brings some down and lifts others up.
⁸ He lifts the poor from the dust
and the needy from the garbage dump.
He sets them among princes,
placing them in seats of honor.
For all the earth is the Lord’s,
and he has set the world in order.
⁹ “He will protect his faithful ones,
but the wicked will disappear in darkness.
No one will succeed by strength alone.
¹⁰     Those who fight against the Lord will be shattered.
He thunders against them from heaven;
the Lord judges throughout the earth.
He gives power to his king;
he increases the strength of his anointed one.”

Examine the Scriptures

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷ God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

1 Samuel 2:1-10 NLT
Hannah’s Prayer of Praise

Hannah’s prayer is also known as a song or a poem.

Hannah’s prayer celebrates Samuel’s dedication to the Lord’s service.

Hannah’s prayer is a song of praise and thanksgiving to God.

There are similarities between Hannah’s Prayer of Praise and Mary’s Song of Praise (Luke 1:46-55) and some commentators say Mary incorporated parts of Hannah’s prayer into her song of praise.

This song has sometimes been termed the “Magnificat of the OT” since it is so similar to the Magnificat of the NT (Mary’s song).

Hannah’s Prayer of Praise and Mary’s Song of Praise both emphasize God bringing down the rich and powerful and exalting the poor and downtrodden.

Hannah’s Prayer of Praise also has similarities to David’s Song of Praise in 2 Samuel 22.

It also has certain resemblances to the “Benedictus” (the song of Zechariah, Luke 1:67-79).

 

Consider the reasons this prayer is included in Scripture.

A Model Prayer of Praise – Full of theology

Themes:

Attributes of God.

How God treats people.

(It is not a prayer about Samuel.) 

^2:1 Then Hannah prayed:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord!

This was a prayer of joy, unlike her prayer in chapter one.

1 Samuel 1:10 NLT
¹⁰ Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.

The source of Hannah’s joy is not the child, but in God who has answered her prayer.

Hannah has been delivered from disgrace to a position of honor and strength.

Philippians 4:4-8 ESV
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Isaiah 61:10 NLT
¹⁰ I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!
For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation
and draped me in a robe of righteousness.
I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding
or a bride with her jewels.

A reminder to:

• • Rejoice in the Lord always. (Philippians 4:4 NLT) 

The Lord has made me strong. 

Isaiah 41:10 NLT
¹⁰ Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Psalm 23:4 NLT
⁴ Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.

Philippians 4:13 NLT
¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 

Psalm 18:1-2 NLT
¹ I love you, Lord;
you are my strength.
² The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.

Isaiah 12:2 NLT
² See, God has come to save me.
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.”

Isaiah 40:31 NLT
³¹ But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

Habakkuk 3:19 NLT
¹⁹ The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.

Psalm 46:1-3 NLT
¹ God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
² So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
³ Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! 

Joshua 1:9 NLT
⁹ This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

A reminder that:

• • God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1 NLT) 

Now I have an answer for my enemies; 

This prayer can be used by Hannah to respond to her enemies (Peninnah).

The Lord gave Hannah words to say.

 I rejoice because you rescued me.

More rejoicing.

Psalm 5:11 NLT
¹¹ But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.

Philippians 4:4 NLT
⁴ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

Psalm 66:1 NLT
¹ Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! 

• I say it again—rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 NLT) 

² No one is holy like the Lord! 

Hannah recognized the fact that God was a holy God. 

Isaiah 6:1-3 NLT
^6:1 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. ² Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. ³ They were calling out to each other,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!” 

Revelation 4:6-8 NLT
(A portion of John’s vision)
⁶ In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.
In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. ⁷ The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. ⁸ Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” 

A reminder that God is holy, perfect, and without sin. 

• • “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” (Revelation 4:8 NLT) 

 There is no one besides you;

Isaiah 44:6 NLT
⁶ This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies:
“I am the First and the Last;
there is no other God. 

Isaiah 45:5-6 NLT
⁵ I am the Lord;
there is no other God.
I have equipped you for battle,
though you don’t even know me,
⁶ so all the world from east to west
will know there is no other God.
I am the Lord, and there is no other. 

Jeremiah 10:6 NLT
⁶ Lord, there is no one like you!
For you are great, and your name is full of power.

God is unique. 

• • Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power. (Jeremiah 10:6 NLT) 

   there is no Rock (strength) like our God.

A Rock symbolizes strength, stability, and security.

Hannah recognized God’s uniqueness.

Psalm 18:31 NLT
³¹ For who is God except the Lord?
Who but our God is a solid rock? 

Isaiah 44:8 NLT
⁸ Do not tremble; do not be afraid.
Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago?
You are my witnesses—is there any other God?
No! There is no other Rock—not one!”

A reminder that God is the stability in our lives. 

• • There is no other God. There is no other Rock-not one. 

³ “Stop acting so proud and haughty!
Don’t speak with such arrogance!

Peninnah typified this attitude.

1 Samuel 1:6-7
⁶ So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children. ⁷ Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat.

This also typifies the attitudes of Eli’s sons, the Philistines, Saul, Nabal, Goliath, Absalom, Shimei and Sheba as recorded in 1^st and 2^nd Samuel.

By contrast Hannah was humbly dependent on God.

For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done; 

Psalm 147:5 NLT
⁵ How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!

1 John 3:20 NLT
²⁰ Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.

he will judge your actions.

• The Lord is an all-knowing, righteous judge.

God humbles the proud.

God exalts the humble. 

⁴ The bow of the mighty is now broken,
and those who stumbled are now strong.
⁵ Those who were well fed are now starving,
and those who were starving are now full. 

God often works contrary to natural expectations and brings about surprising reversals.

The childless woman now has seven children,

Seven children communicates the picture of a women blessed with a house full of children.

1 Samuel 2:21 NLT
²¹ And the Lord blessed Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.

and the woman with many children wastes away. 

The Lord gives both death and life;
he brings some down to the grave but raises others up.
⁷ The Lord makes some poor and others rich;
he brings some down and lifts others up.
⁸ He lifts the poor from the dust
and the needy from the garbage dump.
He sets them among princes,
placing them in seats of honor.
For all the earth is the Lord’s,
and he has set the world in order.

Hannah celebrated God’s sovereign ability to radically reverse human circumstances.

The Lord demonstrates His sovereignty in human affairs.

• Life and death, as well as prosperity and adversity are all determined by the sovereignty of God. 

⁹ “He will protect his faithful ones,
but the wicked will disappear in darkness.
No one will succeed by strength alone.

God is able to reverse fortunes.

The Lord blesses His faithful ones, but brings the wicked to destruction. 

¹⁰     Those who fight against the Lord will be shattered.
He thunders against them from heaven;
the Lord judges throughout the earth.

• The Lord will impose His righteous rule on all the nations and peoples.

• Those who fight against the Lord will be shattered. 

He gives power to his king;
he increases the strength of his anointed one.”

Scripture frequently has multiple messages.

This is prophetic, anticipating the establishment of kingship in Israel. The kings of Israel, especially David, foreshadowed the Lord’s ultimate anointed king, the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Luke 1:69 NLT
⁶⁹ He has sent us a mighty Savior
from the royal line of his servant David,

 *********************** 

• Rejoice in the Lord always. (Philippians 4:4 NLT)
• God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1 NLT)
• I say it again—rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 NLT)
• “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” (Revelation 4:8 NLT)
• LORD, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power. (Jeremiah 10:6 NLT)
• There is no other God. There is no other Rock-not one.
• The Lord is an all-knowing righteous judge.
  God humbles the proud.
  God exalts the humble.

• Life and death, as well as prosperity and adversity are all determined by the sovereignty of God.
• The Lord will impose His righteous rule on all the nations and peoples.
• Those who fight against the LORD will be shattered.

Samuel’s Birth and Dedication

1 Samuel 1:19-28 NLT
¹⁹ The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the Lord once more. Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea, ²⁰ and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”
²¹ The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annual trip to offer a sacrifice to the Lord and to keep his vow. ²² But Hannah did not go. She told her husband, “Wait until the boy is weaned. Then I will take him to the Tabernacle and leave him there with the Lord permanently.”
²³ “Whatever you think is best,” Elkanah agreed. “Stay here for now, and may the Lord help you keep your promise.” So she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned.
²⁴ When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine. ²⁵ After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. ²⁶ “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. ²⁷ I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. ²⁸ Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.

Examine the Scriptures

1 Samuel 1:19-28 NLT

Samuel’s Birth and Dedication 

¹⁹ The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the Lord once more. 

From the previous lesson.

1 Samuel 1:3 NLT
³ Each year Elkanah would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies at the Tabernacle.  

The entire family would include Elkanah, Hannah, Peninnah and her children, and household servants.  Possibly extended family would travel with this group.

• Elkanah’s family worshipping the Lord is a reoccurring theme throughout this story.

Samuel came from a family that valued worshipping the Lord.

• Scripture clearly commands us to worship the Lord.

Psalm 95:6 NLT
⁶ Come, let us worship and bow down.
Let us kneel before the Lord our maker,

1 Chronicles 16:29 NLT
²⁹ Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his presence.
Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.

Psalm 96:8-9 NLT
⁸ Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his courts.
⁹ Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him.

Luke 4:8 NLT
⁸ Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.’”

Psalm 92:1-2 NLT
¹ It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to the Most High.
² It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
your faithfulness in the evening,

Then they returned home to Ramah. 

When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea, ²⁰ and in due time she gave birth to a son. 

She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”

The name Samuel can mean several different things. Meanings of this name include “his name is God”, “name of God”, “asked or heard of God”, or “offspring of God”

Hannah named her son Samuel since God had heard and answered her prayer for a son.

She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”

• The birth of Samuel came about after Hannah had prayed to God asking Him to give her a son.

• Scripture instructs us to pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT
¹⁷ Never stop praying.

Prayer is powerful.

Matthew 7:7 NLT
⁷ “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

John 15:7 NLT
⁷ But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!

John 14:13-14 NLT
¹³ You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. ¹⁴ Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! 

Matthew 21:22 NLT
²² You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”

Samuel was born in response to Hannah’s earnest prayer.  “The Lord remembered her plea…” 

²¹ The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annual trip to offer a sacrifice to the Lord  

1 Samuel 1:3 NLT
³ Each year Elkanah would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies at the Tabernacle. 

As stated earlier, worshipping the Lord is a reoccurring theme throughout this story.

Review from previous lesson:

The law required:

Exodus 23:14-17 NLT
Three Annual Festivals (also recorded in Deuteronomy 16:1-17)
¹⁴ “Each year you must celebrate three festivals in my honor. ¹⁵ First, celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast, just as I commanded you. Celebrate this festival annually at the appointed time in early spring, in the month of Abib, for that is the anniversary of your departure from Egypt. No one may appear before me without an offering.
¹⁶ “Second, celebrate the Festival of Harvest, when you bring me the first crops of your harvest.  “Finally, celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the harvest season, when you have harvested all the crops from your fields. ¹⁷ At these three times each year, every man in Israel must appear before the Sovereign, the Lord.

Why are these festivals so important?

Remember what God has done for us.

Celebrate what God has done for us.

Teach the next generation how God is working in our lives.

What would the mood or atmosphere be like at these festivals?

Psalm 100 NLT
¹ Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
²     Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
³ Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

• In Exodus 23 and Deuteronomy 16 God commanded the Israelites to celebrate three festival in His honor.

Leviticus 7:16 NLT
¹⁶ “If you bring an offering to fulfill a vow or as a voluntary offering, the meat must be eaten on the same day the sacrifice is offered, but whatever is left over may be eaten on the second day. 

and to keep his vow. 

Numbers 30:1-2 NLT
Laws concerning Vows
^30:1 Then Moses summoned the leaders of the tribes of Israel and told them, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ² A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do. 

Deuteronomy 23:21 NLT
²¹ “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 NLT
⁴ When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. ⁵ It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.

Matthew 5:33 NLT
Teaching about Vows
³³ “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’

• A man (a person) who makes a vow to the Lordor makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do.

God always keeps his promises.

Psalm 89:34 NLT
³⁴ No, I (God) will not break my covenant;
I will not take back a single word I said. 

Numbers 23:19 NLT
¹⁹ God is not a man, so he does not lie.
He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

²² But Hannah did not go. She told her husband, “Wait until the boy is weaned.

Then I will take him to the Tabernacle and leave him there with the Lord permanently.” 

²³ “Whatever you think is best,” Elkanah agreed. “Stay here for now,

• Elkanah supported Hannah’s decisions.

and may the Lord help you keep your promise.”

Elkanah knew that it would be hard for Hannah to give up her son and he knew that she would need the Lords help to keep her promise.

Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT
¹⁴ So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. ¹⁵ This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

• So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

So she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned.

At this point in time Samuel was totally dependent on his mother.

Hannah may have nursed Samuel two to four years.

Several years later. 

²⁴ When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine. 

Or three bulls

Apparently Elkanah could afford expensive offerings.

Numbers 15:8-10 NLT
⁸ “When you present a young bull as a burnt offering or as a sacrifice to fulfill a vow or as a peace offering to the Lord, ⁹ you must also give a grain offering of six quarts of choice flour mixed with two quarts of olive oil, ¹⁰ and give two quarts of wine as a liquid offering. This will be a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 

Think of this as a celebration.

A time of remembrance.

• Taking Samuel to the Tabernacle in Shiloh would have been a very memorable occasion for Elkanah and his family. 

²⁵ After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. ²⁶ “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. ²⁷ I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. 

Previous lesson:

1 Samuel 1:17 NLT
¹⁷ “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” 

A blessing from God’s high priest was an assurance that Hannah’s prayer would be answered. 

²⁸ Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.”

• Samuel was left with Eli to serve the Lord in the Tabernacle for the rest of his life.

And they worshiped the Lord there.

More Worship.
(As stated earlier, worshipping the Lord is a reoccurring theme throughout this story.)

 

*********************************************

• Elkanah’s family worshipping the Lord is a reoccurring theme throughout this story.

• Scripture clearly commands us to worship the Lord.

• The birth of Samuel came about after Hannah had prayed to God asking Him to give her a son.

• Scripture instructs us to pray without ceasing.

• In Exodus 23 and Deuteronomy 16 God commanded the Israelites to celebrate three festival in His honor.

• A man (a person) who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do. 

• Elkanah supported Hannah’s decisions.

• So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. 

• Taking Samuel to the Tabernacle in Shiloh would have been a very memorable occasion for Elkanah and his family.

• Samuel was left with Eli to serve the Lord in the Tabernacle for the rest of his life.

 

 

 

 

Elkanah and His Family & Hannah’s Prayer for a Son

1 Samuel 1:1-18 NLT
Elkanah and His Family
¹ There was a man named Elkanah who lived in Ramah in the region of Zuph in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, of Ephraim. ² Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not.
³ Each year Elkanah would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies at the Tabernacle. The priests of the Lord at that time were the two sons of Eli—Hophni and Phinehas. ⁴ On the days Elkanah presented his sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to Peninnah and each of her children. ⁵ And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion because the Lord had given her no children. ⁶ So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children. ⁷ Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat.
⁸ “Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?”

Hannah’s Prayer for a Son

⁹ Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. ¹⁰ Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. ¹¹ And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.”
¹² As she was praying to the Lord, Eli watched her. ¹³ Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. ¹⁴ “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!”
¹⁵ “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. ¹⁶ Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”
¹⁷ “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”
¹⁸ “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.

Examine the Scriptures

1 Samuel 1:1-18 NLT
Elkanah and His Family

¹ There was a man named Elkanah

Elkanah’s name means “God has created”.

Elkanah was the father of Samuel.

Elkanah was a Levite.

His name is listed in the Levite Clans found in 1 Chronicles 6:16-30.

Levi  >  Kohath (a son of Levi)  >  Elkanah (a descendant of Kohath)

• Elkanah was the father of Samuel.

• Elkanah was a Levite. 

who lived in Ramah in the region of Zuph in the hill country of Ephraim.

• Elkanah lived in Ramah.

• The ESV (and other versions of scripture) use Ramathaim-zophim instead of Ramah.

Ramah is located 5-15 miles north of Jerusalem (It is not possible to locate the town with certainty)

The Levites lived in towns scattered throughout all of the other twelve tribes.

Joshua 21:20 NLT
²⁰ The rest of the Kohathite clan from the tribe of Levi was allotted the following towns and pasturelands from the tribe of Ephraim:

Elkanah was a Levite by lineage.

Elkanah was an Ephraimite by residence.

 

Ramah was Samuel’s birthplace, the place of his residence, and the place of his burial.

Samuel’s birthplace:
1 Samuel 1:19-20 NLT
¹⁹ The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the Lord once more. Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea, ²⁰ and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”

Samuel’s residence:
1 Samuel 7:17 NLT
¹⁷ Then he would return to his home at Ramah, and he would hear cases there, too. And Samuel built an altar to the Lord at Ramah.

Samuel’s burial place:
1 Samuel 25:1 NLT
Now Samuel died, and all Israel gathered for his funeral. They buried him at his house in Ramah.

• Ramah was Samuel’s birthplace, the place of his residence, and the place of his burial.

He was the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, of Ephraim.  

² Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. 

Hannah (grace, favor)

Peninnah (ruby)

Elkanah may have married Peninnah because of Hannah’s inability to have children.

In scripture children are considered a blessing from the Lord.

Deuteronomy 7:13-14 NLT
¹³ He (the Lord) will love you and bless you, and he will give you many children. He will give fertility to your land and your animals. When you arrive in the land he swore to give your ancestors, you will have large harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and great herds of cattle, sheep, and goats. ¹⁴ You will be blessed above all the nations of the earth. None of your men or women will be childless, and all your livestock will bear young.

Conversely the Israelites considered the inability to have children a curse.

• Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah.

• Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not.

• Multiple wives frequently result in serious friction between the wives.

See verses 6-7

Genesis 16 & 21: Sarah and Hagar

Genesis 29: Leah and Rachel

³ Each year Elkanah would travel to Shiloh

15 miles north of Ramah.  20 miles north of Jerusalem

(Ramah is located 5-15 miles north of Jerusalem (It is not possible to locate the town with certainty))

Joshua 18:1 NLT
Now that the land was under Israelite control, the entire community of Israel gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tabernacle.

to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies at the Tabernacle.

The law required:

Exodus 23:14-17 NLT
Three Annual Festivals (also recorded in Deuteronomy 16:1-17)
¹⁴ “Each year you must celebrate three festivals in my honor. ¹⁵ First, celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast, just as I commanded you. Celebrate this festival annually at the appointed time in early spring, in the month of Abib, for that is the anniversary of your departure from Egypt. No one may appear before me without an offering.
¹⁶ “Second, celebrate the Festival of Harvest, when you bring me the first crops of your harvest.  “Finally, celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the harvest season, when you have harvested all the crops from your fields. ¹⁷ At these three times each year, every man in Israel must appear before the Sovereign, the Lord.

The title Lord of Heaven’s Armies or Lord of Hosts emphasizes the Lord as sovereign over all of the powers in heaven and on earth. 

• Each year Elkanah would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies at the Tabernacle.

The priests of the Lord at that time were the two sons of Eli—Hophni and Phinehas.  

⁴ On the days Elkanah presented his sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to Peninnah and each of her children. 

Certain sacrifices involved sharing part of the sacrificial animal in a communal meal. (Leviticus 7)

Elkanah’s sacrifice was a peace offering:

Parts of the sacrifice are burned.

Parts of the sacrifice are given to the priest.

Parts of the sacrifice are eaten by the people who brought the sacrifice.

⁵ And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion because the Lord had given her no children. 

• Hannah’s barrenness was the result of divine providence like Sarah’s (Genesis 16:2) and Rachel’s (Genesis 30:2)

Psalm 127:3 NLT
³ Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.

Genesis 18:13 NLT
¹³ Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

Genesis 29:31 NLT
³¹ When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, he enabled her to have children, but Rachel could not conceive.

Genesis 30:2 NLT
² Then Jacob became furious with Rachel. “Am I God?” he asked. “He’s the one who has kept you from having children!”

Genesis 30:22NLT
²² Then God remembered Rachel’s plight and answered her prayers by enabling her to have children.

⁶ So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children.  

⁷ Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. 

The House of the Lord.

The Temple of the Lord.

• Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children.

Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat. 

⁸ “Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?”

• Elkanah’s attempts to comfort Hannah were unsuccessful.

Hannah’s Prayer for a Son 

⁹ Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle.  

¹⁰ Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. 

¹¹ And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.” 

• Hannah prayed and pledged to give the Lord her son in return for God’s favor in giving her that son.

This dedication of her son sounds like a commitment to the Nazarite vow, described in Numbers 6.

Similar to the story of Samson

Judges 13:2-5 NLT
² In those days a man named Manoah from the tribe of Dan lived in the town of Zorah. His wife was unable to become pregnant, and they had no children. ³ The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, “Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. ⁴ So be careful; you must not drink wine or any other alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food. ⁵ You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.” 

Long hair was a symbol of dedication to the service of the Lord and was one of the characteristics of the Nazarite vow. This vow was normally taken for a limited time rather than for life.

• Elkanah apparently supported Hannah’s wishes.

NUMBERS 30:10
¹⁰ “But suppose a woman is married and living in her husband’s home when she makes a vow or binds herself with a pledge. ¹¹ If her husband hears of it and does not object to it, her vow or pledge will stand. 

¹² As she was praying to the Lord, Eli watched her.  

¹³ Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking.  

Some people may have used the feast times at Shiloh as an occasion to get drunk. 

¹⁴ “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!” 

• Eli assumed that Hannah was drunk and therefore rebukes her. 

¹⁵ “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. ¹⁶ Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”

Acts 2:13-15 NLT
¹³ But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”
¹⁴ Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. ¹⁵ These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 

¹⁷ “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”

It was the duty and privilege of the priests to bless the people in the name of the Lord.

Numbers 6:22-27 NLT
²² Then the Lord said to Moses, ²³ “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:
²⁴ ‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
²⁵ May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
²⁶ May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’
²⁷ Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.” 

Lev 9:22-23 NLT
²² After that, Aaron raised his hands toward the people and blessed them. Then, after presenting the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering, he stepped down from the altar. ²³ Then Moses and Aaron went into the Tabernacle, and when they came back out, they blessed the people again, and the glory of the Lord appeared to the whole community.  

• A blessing from God’s high priest was an assurance that Hannah’s prayer would be answered. 

¹⁸ “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.

• Hannah believed that God would answer her prayer.

• Pray believing that God will answer your prayers.

Psalm 145:18 NLT
¹⁸ The Lord is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on him in truth.

John 14:13-14 NLT
¹³ You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. ¹⁴ Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

John 15:7 NLT
⁷ But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!

James 5:16 NLT
¹⁶ Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

1 John 5:14-15 NLT
¹⁴ And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. ¹⁵ And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

Matthew 7:8 NLT
⁸ For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

 

************************* 

• Elkanah was the father of Samuel.

• Elkanah was a Levite.

• Elkanah lived in Ramah.

• The ESV (and other versions of scripture) use Ramathaim-zophim instead of Ramah.

• Ramah was Samuel’s birthplace, the place of his residence, and the place of his burial.

• Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah.

• Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not.

• Multiple wives frequently result in serious friction between the wives.

• Each year Elkanah would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lordof Heaven’s Armies at the Tabernacle.

• Hannah’s barrenness was the result of divine providence like Sarah’s (Genesis 16:2) and Rachel’s (Genesis 30:2)

• Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lordhad kept her from having children.

• Elkanah’s attempts to comfort Hannah were unsuccessful.

• Hannah prayed and pledged to give the Lord her son in return for God’s favor in giving her that son.

• Elkanah apparently supported Hannah’s wishes.

• Eli assumed that Hannah was drunk and therefore rebukes her.

• A blessing from God’s high priest was an assurance that Hannah’s prayer would be answered.

• Hannah believed that God would answer her prayer.

• Pray believing that God will answer your prayers.

Introduction to 1^st and 2^nd Samuel 

Names used for the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel.

The Books of 1 and 2 Samuel take their names from the Prophet Samuel, who is the first important character in the first book, because of the role he played in Israel’s transition to a monarchy (Not the author of the books.)

Samuel was a prophet, priest, the last of the judges, and an anointer of kings.

The events described in 1 and 2 Samuel center about the lives of three important figures—Samuel, Saul, and David.

The earliest Hebrew manuscripts made no division between the two books.

First and second Samuel were considered as one book in the earliest Hebrew manuscripts.

They simply entitled the whole collection “Samuel.”

They were later divided into two books by the translators of the Greek version, the Septuagint (LXX).  The Septuagint was the first version to divide the material into two parts.  The trans­lators of the Septuagint, or the Greek OT, divided it into two books, 1-2 Kingdoms (The First and Second Book of Kingdoms).  Later Hebrew tradition also divided the book but retained the name Samuel, as do most English versions.  That division into 1^st and 2^nd Samuel has continued to the present day in all translations and versions, including Hebrew-printed Bibles.

Septuagint (LXX)

The term Septuagint is the name given to the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures.  It contains what are now known as the apocryphal (a poc ry phal) books.  The name Septuagint derives from the Latin word septuaginta, which means 70. The Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible is called Septuagint because 70 or 72 Jewish scholars reportedly took part in the translation process.  The Septuagint Bible originated in the 3rd century B.C., (or third and second century B.C.) when the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament, was translated into Greek.

It is also called the Greek Old Testament.

This translation is quoted in the New Testament, particularly by Paul.

Names used for the books of 1^st and 2^nd Samuel:

Samuel

1-2 Kingdoms (The First and Second Book of Kingdoms).

First and Second Kings (1^st and 2^nd Kings were titled 3^rd and 4^th Kings)

1^st and 2^nd Samuel

Author of 1^st and 2^nd Samuel 

Jewish tradition ascribed the writing of Samuel to Samuel himself or to Samuel, Nathan and Gad (based on 1 Chr. 29:29).

1 Chronicles 29:29 NLT
²⁹ All the events of King David’s reign, from beginning to end, are written in The Record of Samuel the Seer, The Record of Nathan the Prophet, and The Record of Gad the Seer.

This could not be true for several reasons.

The authorship of 1 and 2 Samuel is anonymous, though one can hardly doubt that Samuel himself may have written or supplied information for 1 Samuel 1:1-25:1, all of which describes his life and career up to and including his death.

It is impossible, however, to say anything with certainty about the authorship of the remainder of 1 Samuel and of 2 Samuel.

But Samuel cannot be the writer because his death is recorded in 1 Samuel 25:1.

1 Samuel 25:1 NLT
The Death of Samuel
^25:1 Now Samuel died, and all Israel gathered for his funeral. They buried him at his house in Ramah.

1 Samuel has 31 chapters. 

Further, Nathan and Gad were prophets of the Lord during David’s lifetime and would not have been alive when the book of Samuel was written.

Though the records of these three prophets could have been used for information in the writing of 1 and 2 Samuel, the human author of these books is unknown. The work comes to the readers as an anonymous writing, i.e., the human author speaks for the Lord and give; the divine interpretation of the events nar­rated.

The author of 1^st and 2^nd Samuel is unknown.

 

Important Dates 

The date of the composition of the books cannot be determined with any degree of precision.  It had to be after 971 B.C. (the death of David).  Some scholars say after the division of the king­dom between Israel and Judah in 931 B.C..

The Books of Samuel contain no clear in­dication of the date of composition. Some scholars say that the author wrote after the division of the king­dom between Israel and Judah in 931 B.C.  due to the many references to Israel and Judah as distinct entities (1 Sam. 11:8; 17:52; 18:16; 2 Sam. 5:5; 11:11; 12:8; 19:42-43; 24:1, 9).

2 Samuel 12:8 NLT
⁸ I gave you your master’s house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. 

Vs. the kingdom of Israel.

This could also be indicated by the reference to Ziklag, a Philistine city which, the narrator wrote, “has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day” (1 Sam. 27:6)

1 Samuel 27:6 NLT
⁶ So Achish gave him the town of Ziklag (which still belongs to the kings of Judah to this day)… 

During the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon the kingdom was known as the Kingdom of Israel.  Saul, David, and Solomon were kings of Israel.

Scholars believe strongly that 1^st and 2^nd Samuel was written before 722 B.C. The fall of Samaria.

Approximate chronological timeline.

1376-1050 bc              The era of the judges

The 300 or so years of the history of Israel under the Judges were marked by political, moral, and spiritual anarchy and deterioration.   Throughout the days of the judges, discontent grew over the lack of unity among Israel’s tribes. (see Judges 17-21). When Samuel became old and a successor was needed, it was evident to all that his own sons were unfit to take his place. This factor, coupled with the encroachments of the Ammonites on the east side of the Jordan River, prompted Israel to demand of Samuel that he give them a king “like all the other nations” to unite the nation and protect it from internal and external threats.

1200 bc                       The Philistines arrive in Canaan

1100-950 bc                The period covered by the books of Samuel (150 years)

1100-1070 bc              Eli as priest at Shiloh

1075-1040 bc              The ministry of Samuel

1050-1011 _BC               The reign of Saul

1025 _BC                        David is anointed as king

1020 _BC                        David fights Goliath

1011 bc                       The death of Saul and Jonathan

1011-971 _BC                 David as king of Israel

Second Samuel concludes with a story of royal succession in which David on his deathbed made provision for his son Solomon to follow him on the throne. This must be dated at 971 b.c. 

Setting

The majority of the action recorded in 1 and 2 Samuel took place in and around the cen­tral highlands in the land of Israel.

The major cities of 1st and 2^nd Samuel are to be found in these cen­tral highlands:

Shiloh, the residence of Eli and the tabernacle;

Ramah, the hometown of Samuel;

Gibeah, the headquarters of Saul;

Bethlehem, the birthplace of David;

Hebron, David’s capital when he ruled over Judah;

and Jerusalem, the ultimate “city of David.”

 Purpose.

1^st
The Books of Samuel provide an account of the history of Israel from the end of the 12th through the beginning of the 10th centuries before Christ. That critical period from judgeship to monarchy, from loose tribal affiliation to strong central government.

2^nd
More importantly, the books of Samuel show/teach/demonstrate theological themes.

Teach Biblical truths.

The events of David’s life recorded in Samuel foreshadow the actions of David’s greater son (i.e., Christ) in the future.

There are four predominant theological themes in 1 and 2 Samuel.

1. The Davidic Covenant.

This is an unconditional covenant made between God and David through which God promises David and Israel that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come from the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah and would establish a kingdom that would endure forever.

2 Samuel 7:12-16 NLT
¹² For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. ¹³ He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. ¹⁴ I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. ¹⁵ But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. ¹⁶ Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”

2. The sovereignty of God.
3. The work of the Holy Spirit in empowering men for divinely appointed tasks.
4. The personal and national effects of sin.

Sources:
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.
NLT Study Bible: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
The MacArthur Bible Commentary
NLT Study Bible
ESV Student Study Bible
NIV Study Bible

In today’s lesson we will finish studying the book of Esther.

We will be learning about the Jewish Festival of Purim

Esther 9:20 – 10:3 NLT
The Festival of Purim
²⁰ Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to the Jews near and far, throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes, ²¹ calling on them to celebrate an annual festival on these two days. ²² He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy.
²³ So the Jews accepted Mordecai’s proposal and adopted this annual custom. ²⁴ Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews, had plotted to crush and destroy them on the date determined by casting lots (the lots were called purim). ²⁵ But when Esther came before the king, he issued a decree causing Haman’s evil plot to backfire, and Haman and his sons were impaled on a sharpened pole. ²⁶ That is why this celebration is called Purim, because it is the ancient word for casting lots.
So because of Mordecai’s letter and because of what they had experienced, ²⁷ the Jews throughout the realm agreed to inaugurate this tradition and to pass it on to their descendants and to all who became Jews. They declared they would never fail to celebrate these two prescribed days at the appointed time each year. ²⁸ These days would be remembered and kept from generation to generation and celebrated by every family throughout the provinces and cities of the empire. This Festival of Purim would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what happened ever die out among their descendants.
²⁹ Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote another letter putting the queen’s full authority behind Mordecai’s letter to establish the Festival of Purim. ³⁰ Letters wishing peace and security were sent to the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of the empire of Xerxes. ³¹ These letters established the Festival of Purim—an annual celebration of these days at the appointed time, decreed by both Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther. (The people decided to observe this festival, just as they had decided for themselves and their descendants to establish the times of fasting and mourning.) ³² So the command of Esther confirmed the practices of Purim, and it was all written down in the records.

The Greatness of Xerxes and Mordecai

^10:1 King Xerxes imposed a tribute throughout his empire, even to the distant coastlands. ² His great achievements and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Media and Persia. ³ Mordecai the Jew became the prime minister, with authority next to that of King Xerxes himself. He was very great among the Jews, who held him in high esteem, because he continued to work for the good of his people and to speak up for the welfare of all their descendants.

Examine the Scriptures

Esther 9:20 – 10:3 NLT
The Festival of Purim

²⁰ Mordecai recorded these events

The events Mordecai recorded:

Esther 9:16-19 NLT
¹⁶ Meanwhile, the other Jews throughout the king’s provinces had gathered together to defend their lives. They gained relief from all their enemies, killing 75,000 of those who hated them. But they did not take any plunder. ¹⁷ This was done throughout the provinces on March 7, and on March 8 they rested, celebrating their victory with a day of feasting and gladness. ¹⁸ (The Jews at Susa killed their enemies on March 7 and again on March 8, then rested on March 9, making that their day of feasting and gladness.) ¹⁹ So to this day, rural Jews living in remote villages celebrate an annual festival and holiday on the appointed day in late winter, when they rejoice and send gifts of food to each other. 

and sent letters to the Jews near and far, throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes, ²¹ calling on them to celebrate an annual festival on these two days. 

• Mordecai and Queen Esther established (proposed v.23) the Festival of Purim.

The festival of Purim was not established by Mosaic Law.   It was established by Mordecai and Esther (v 29-32).

The festival of Purim is the only OT festival not established by Moses. 

²² He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor.

How did the Jews celebrate Purim?

Eating, rejoicing, giving gifts of food to each other, and giving gifts to the poor.

• The Jews celebrated Purim with eating, rejoicing, giving gifts of food to each other, and giving gifts to the poor. 

This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy.

Why did the Jews celebrate Purim?

The festival of Purim was for remembering the goodness of God working through a number of circumstances to protect His people from extinction.

On that fateful day, March 7, 473 BC, God miraculously rescued His people from certain death, much like He rescued His people from Egypt at the Passover.

The festival of Purim is much like the Passover celebration.

• The festival of Purim was for remembering the goodness of God working through a number of circumstances to protect His people from extinction. 

²³ So the Jews accepted Mordecai’s proposal and adopted this annual custom.  

²⁴ Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews, had plotted to crush and destroy them on the date determined by casting lots (the lots were called purim). ²⁵ But when Esther came before the king, he issued a decree causing Haman’s evil plot to backfire, and Haman and his sons were impaled on a sharpened pole. ²⁶ That is why this celebration is called Purim, because it is the ancient word for casting lots.

The above verses summarize the events leading to the Festival of Purim.

It was a common practice in the ancient world to cast purim to determine whether God favored a particular course of action.

Esther 3:7 NLT
⁷ So in the month of April, during the twelfth year of King Xerxes’ reign, lots were cast in Haman’s presence (the lots were called purim) to determine the best day and month to take action. And the day selected was March 7, nearly a year later. 

• The date of this celebration (events leading up to this celebration) had been determined by casting lots (the lots were called purim).

So because of Mordecai’s letter and because of what they had experienced, ²⁷ the Jews throughout the realm agreed to inaugurate this tradition and to pass it on to their descendants and to all who became Jews. They declared they would never fail to celebrate these two prescribed days at the appointed time each year. ²⁸ These days would be remembered and kept from generation to generation and celebrated by every family throughout the provinces and cities of the empire. This Festival of Purim would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what happened ever die out among their descendants.

Even though Moses did not authorize this festival, Jews throughout the realm agreed to inaugurate this tradition and to pass it on to their descendants and to all who became Jews.

Now more than 2,400 years later, the festival of Purim is still celebrated annually by the Jews.

Purim is celebrated on Adar 14 because the Jews in unwalled cities fought their enemies on Adar 13 and rested the following day.

Shushan Purim falls on Adar 15 and is the day on which Jews in Jerusalem (a walled city) celebrate Purim.

• Now more than 2,400 years later, the festival of Purim is still celebrated annually by the Jews. 

²⁹ Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote another letter putting the queen’s full authority behind Mordecai’s letter to establish the Festival of Purim.  

Esther’s letter provided further official endorsement to Mordecai’s proposal.

³⁰ Letters wishing peace and security were sent to the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of the empire of Xerxes. ³¹ These letters established the Festival of Purim—an annual celebration of these days at the appointed time, decreed by both Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther. 

(The people decided to observe this festival, just as they had decided for themselves and their descendants to establish the times of fasting and mourning.) 

• The people decided to observe the Festival of Purim. 

A decree by Mordecai and Queen Esther would not have meant much without the acceptance of the Jewish people. 

³² So the command of Esther confirmed the practices of Purim, and it was all written down in the records.

A copy of Esther’s letter was put into the royal archives.

The festival of Purim is still celebrated annually by the Jews.

Today, Jewish people fast and pray to commutate Esther’s fasting (The Fast of Esther). This fast is then followed by Purim.

Two events:

A time of fasting.

A time of celebration.

 

The Greatness of Xerxes and Mordecai

^10:1 King Xerxes imposed a tribute throughout his empire,

This negated an earlier remission of taxes.

Esther 2:18
English Standard Version
¹⁸ Then the king gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther’s feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity. 

Esther 2:18
New Living Translation
¹⁸ To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone.

From lesson on Esther 2:

“Holiday” The Hebrew for this word, unique to this verse, may imply a remission of taxes,

an emancipation of slaves,

a cancellation of debt

or a remission of obligatory military service.

• King Xerxes imposed a tax throughout his empire. (Showing the extent of his power.)

Persian taxes on the provinces were heavy.

even to the distant coastlands. 

Esther 1:1 NLT
These events happened in the days of King Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. 

Review the Map of the Persian Empire

² His great achievements and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Media and Persia.  

³ Mordecai the Jew became the prime minister, with authority next to that of King Xerxes himself.

• Mordecai was rewarded with a high government position.

Mordecai became the prime minister, with authority next to that of King Xerxes himself.

Joseph ranked second in the Egyptian dynasty.

Daniel ranked high in both the Babylonian and Medo-Persian Empires.

He was very great among the Jews, who held him in high esteem, because he continued to work for the good of his people and to speak up for the welfare of all their descendants.

• Mordecai was held in high esteem by his people, the Jews.

Nowhere in the book of Esther does it say that Mordecai was a righteous man or that he was careful to follow the Law of Moses.

There are no farther details about Mordecai or Esther.

King Xerxes was assassinated in 465 B.C. (less than ten years later.)

• God’s sovereignty is clearly seen in the book of Esther. Many things happened that were beyond anyone’s control except that of God, who oversees history.

• • • (Chapter 1) The king’s wise men advised King Xerxes to banish Queen Vashti from his presence forever and choose another queen more worthy than Queen Vashti.

• • • (Chapter 2) Esther, a Jew, was placed in a position in which she could help the nation Israel, even before Israel needed help.

• • • (Chapter 2) Mordecai is at the right place at the right time. – Mordecai heard two guards plotting to assassinate King Xerxes.

• • • (Chapter 3) Lots were cast to determine the best day and month for the execution of the Jews to take place.  –  The Jews would have nearly a year to prepare themselves for this event.

• • • (Chapter 4) Esther’s rise to power at this precise time.  Esther’s position as Xerxes’ favored wife and queen allowed her to influence the king in such a way it would favor the Jewish people.

• • • The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases. (Chapter 5)

• • • (Chapter 6) The night between the first and second banquet hosted by Esther, the king had trouble sleeping.  Listening to 12 years of recorded history being read to him, the king discovered the account of how Mordecai exposed a plot to have him (King Xerxes) assassinated.  King Xerxes is reminded of the fact that nothing has been done for Mordecai for saving the king’s life.

• • • (Chapter 7) The king appears to be surprised to hear that Esther is a Jew.  Esther was able to ask the king to spare her life and the lives of her people.

• • • (Chapter 8) A decree was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king’s signet ring that gave the Jews authority to unite to defend their lives. They were allowed to kill, slaughter, and annihilate anyone of any nationality or province who might attack them or their children and wives, and to take the property of their enemies.

• • • (Chapter 9) The enemies of the Jews could not make a stand against them, for everyone was afraid of them.

The Festival of Purim

The Greatness of Xerxes and Mordecai

• Mordecai and Queen Esther established (proposed v.23) the Festival of Purim.

• The Jews celebrated Purim with eating, rejoicing, giving gifts of food to each other, and giving gifts to the poor.

• The festival of Purim was for remembering the goodness of God working through a number of circumstances to protect His people from extinction.

• The date of this celebration (events leading up to this celebration) had been determined by casting lots (the lots were called purim).

• Now more than 2,400 years later, the festival of Purim is still celebrated annually by the Jews.

• The people decided to observe the Festival of Purim. (A decree by Mordecai and Queen Esther would not have meant much without it being accepted by the Jewish people.)

• King Xerxes imposed a tax throughout his empire. (Showing the extent of his power.)

• Mordecai was rewarded with a high government position.

• Mordecai was held in high esteem by his people, the Jews.

• God’s sovereignty is clearly seen in the book of Esther. Many things happened that were beyond anyone’s control except that of God, who oversees history.