April 27 – 1 Samuel 1:1-8
April 27 – 1 Samuel 1:1-8
1 There was a
certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose
name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of
Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of
the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had
children, but Hannah had no children.
3 Now this man used to go
up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to
the Lord of hosts at
Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of
the Lord. 4 On the day
when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and
to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a
double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And her
rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went
on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not
eat. 8 And
Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not
eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
I see so many things in these verses, but I’m going to narrow it
down to just a couple of thoughts. First,
we see one of Elkanah’s wives bullying another wife. So, bullying is nothing new. How we deal with it might be, but the problem
has been around for many years. Second,
this is a good reason to not have more than one wife. Jealousy and bullying. God told them to only have one wife, and they
didn’t listen. They went with what was
popular socially, rather than what God says in His Word. How many things do we do that God says not to
do because it is socially acceptable? I
can think of so many things, that God prohibits that we think is okay, such as “little
white lies” so we don’t hurt someone’s feelings. It is better to not speak than to lie. What about pre-marital sex? God says “NO”, but our society says, “why
not?” What other things can you think of
that God has given us specific instructions but we smooth it over with thoughts
that the society of today is different than society of Bible days?
Heavenly Father, help me to read Your Word,
understand Your Word, and abide by Your Word.
I know in my heart You gave these instructions to help me and keep me
from harm, but sometimes I just don’t think and do what I want rather than what
You have commanded. Help me see Your
truth and adhere to it. Help me desire
to do what You have asked me to do.
Direct my path daily, and help me choose joy!
In Jesus’ name.
Amen!
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