January 15th, 2009 by Kristi Stephens

Photo courtesy of http://www.jerusalemshots.com

As you begin reading Biblical books of narrative, it’s easy to just read the story and forget that each and every book of the Bible is much more than history. We talked about this back in “So Why Do we Have the Bible.” If the Bible was written purely to give us a historical record, a lot of information that we might find helpful is left out!

Back when I was an education major for two years (before I jumped ship for Bible!), I remember them teaching us about “null curriculum” – that even what you leave out is an intentional choice. I have “x” amount of days, I can’t cover every single thing about life science, so I will cover this and not that.

Similarly, when the writer of 1st Samuel sat down to pen this book (no, it wasn’t Samuel – he dies at the end of 1st Samuel!), he made similar choices, obviously by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Some historical details were included, others weren’t. They were chosen for a reason: every book of the Bible has a point. How do we find it in narratives?

There are often statements of truth early in the books which provide a “caption” or the controlling truth which explains or summarizes what is to come. For instance, in Genesis we talked about the power of God’s word in Genesis 1 – He can and will do what He says! Obviously this plays out in the promises throughout the book, particularly in the Land, Nation, and Leader promise that we refer to often in Genesis 12. That promise to Abraham forms a “caption” for the whole Pentateuch!

In 1st Samuel, it is the song of Hannah in chapter two which provides a framework. (We’re going to focus on verses 4-10, but her introduction is too good to leave out!)

Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.
2 “There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
3 “Do not keep talking so proudly
or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the LORD is a God who knows,
and by him deeds are weighed.
4 “The bows of the warriors are broken,
but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
but those who were hungry hunger no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
but she who has had many sons pines away.
6 “The LORD brings death and makes alive;
he brings down to the grave and raises up.
7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth;
he humbles and he exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.
“For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s;
upon them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet of his saints,
but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.
“It is not by strength that one prevails;
10 those who oppose the LORD will be shattered.
He will thunder against them from heaven;
the LORD will judge the ends of the earth.
“He will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

Notice the repeating pattern here? The point of these books is: God will raise up and God will put down based on adherence to the Deuteronomic covenant.

Just in case you’re saying, “huh?”… Remember back to Deuteronomy being the most concise statement of the law – the unique covenant between God and His people, Israel. When the people obey God, He blesses. They disobey? He brings them down. Notice how the books neatly fall into this outline:

God prospers faithful Hannah/ Hinders Unfaithful Eli (1 Sam. 1-3)
God hinders unfaithful Israel (1 Sam. 4-6)
God prospers “faithful” Saul (1 Sam. 7-15)
God hinders unfaithful Saul (1 Sam. 16-2 Sam. 1)
God prospers faithful David (2 Sam. 2-9)
God hinders unfaithful David (2 Sam. 10-20)

Our God is completely and entirely sovereign and over all the affairs of mankind. I thought about this passage frequently during the election – it was an interesting time to observe people inside and outside of the church. Some people were almost frenzied with excitement about Barack Obama the message of hope they felt he offered – somehow people really believed that one human being in the oval office could change everything bad about their lives. Other people seemed paralyzed with fear and anxiety that he would be put in office – and the world as they knew it would be no more.

Hannah’s prayer is such a great reminder that God is ultimately over it all. Nothing is out of control, nothing is beyond His reach, nothing is a surprise to Him. Now, as we look at the escalating tensions in the middle east it is tempting to fear. But remember – these people and this land that is the source of so much turmoil have been near and dear to the heart of God since the beginning of time. He started it all with Abraham, and He will bring it to a close. He never has and never will leave His throne, He never forgot His promises. He is the God who is Sovereign over all.

Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.
“There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
1 Samuel 2:1-2