Stroll through Scripture for October 13, 2024

Based on 1 Samuel 1:9–11, 19–20; 2:1–10

The Narrative Lectionary moves us out of Exodus, past the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures), past the entrance of Israel into the promised land and the time when the judges governed over the tribes into 1 Samuel. We don’t know who wrote 1 Samuel, but it is a story about Israel moving from a loose confederation of tribes to a nation ruled by a king. 1 Samuel presents the good, the bad, and the ugly of monarchy.

For the next several weeks we’ll hear about Israel and its struggles and blessings with having a king rule over it.

In today’s reading we hear about Hannah. She will become the mother of Samuel the prophet who will anoint Saul as King and then David. He will be a significant prophet in this time period. But today our focus is on Hannah. She is unable to bear children and cries out to God.

It is important to remember that in this culture and this time that so much of a woman’s worth and value came from her ability to have children, to continue the line of the family.

Hannah’s story, in some ways, is Israel’s story. She is sorrowful and in disgrace because she is unable to bear children. Israel is sorrowful in this period as well. They face multiple troubles — they are poor, have corrupt leadership, and face military threat from the Philistines.

Hannah’s prayer and vow became a model of faithfulness, one that Israel has a difficult time…