1 and 2 Samuel (two parts of one work) and 1 and 2 Kings (also two parts of one work) are sequential, and should be read together.

There's been a great apostasy in Israel as we start 1 Samuel. Samuel was born to become a lifeline for Israel, a precursor looking ahead to Jesus.

Polygamy is described here, not endorsed. Hannah is the favored one, despite her initial inability to conceive.

Elkanah took his family to worship regularly.

This church was run by and filled with corrupt people, sinners. Even so, this is no excuse to stay out of church. Hannah decides to continue going.

Elkanah favors Hannah with extra portions of the sacrifice, despite Peninnah providing him with four children. Peninnah is jealous and starts provoking Hannah. Elkanah was foolish to create this problem by giving preference to one wife over the other. This wore on her over time, and she would weep and refuse to eat.

Hannah vowed that if God gave her a son, she would give him to the Lord.

The history of Israel turns on this one barren woman giving birth to Samuel. She represents the weary people of Israel waiting for the promised conquering king. This is the first time God is referred to as the Lord of Hosts, the God of Heaven's armies, a clue to how he will operate in 1 and 2 Samuel.

Hannah's vow... she says if she receives a son, she will give him to the Lord and not cut his hair. He will be a permanent Nazirite, dedicated to the Lord's service his whole life, similar to Samson and John the Baptist. As Samuel is the forerunner to David, John the Baptist is the forerunner to Jesus.

v12-18... Eli gives her trouble for acting drunk, but she explains she's simply deeply anxious and troubled. He finally sees the truth and asks God's blessing on her petition. Eli was an example of the many spiritually blind leaders at the time; the priesthood was in shambles.

Eli and Hannah... Hannah represents the people of Israel, barren and desperate for God to provide... Eli represents God's institutions, created to help people through these hard times, but wicked and broken. Israel is without spiritual discernment in the priesthood, just as they would later be when Jesus arrives.

Nepotism... Eli is poised and ready to rebuke poor Hannah for what he incorrectly assumes is sin, but in the same place, he's willing to overlook the actual sins of his own sons.

Preaching to our families... Eli is willing to be a "fierce defender of the faith" until it comes to his own family. It's so much easier to share the Gospel with people who don't know you. Eli may realize he doesn't have a spiritual leg to stand on when it comes to rebuking his sons because they know he's just as bad as they are.

"Your true religion is what you do when no one is around."