Eli's sons

In chapter two, in the book of 1 Samuel, it opens with a prayer from Hannah: Samuel's mother.  Hannah gave up Samuel to the priest Eli, to serve the Lord.

Eli had sons.  His sons were sinful and scoundrels.  They would steal meat being offered as sacrifices to the Lord from the people of Shiloh.

Each year, Hannah and her husband would offer their sacrifices, and also give Samuel a sacred linen apron.  Eli blessed Hannah and told her she would have more children to replace the one she gave up to the Lord.  She was indeed blessed with five more children.

As Eli grew older, he heard what his sons were doing.  He confronted them and told them to stop.  But they did not listen.

Then the Lord decided to kill them.

A prophet came to Eli and said that the Lord will kill all of the young men in his clan for what his sons had done.  None will survive, save for one, whom He will strike blind.

The birth of Samuel

In the book of 1 Samuel, chapter one, there is the strange birth of Samuel.

Samuel's mother was Hannah.  Hannah was one of two wives to her husband Elkanah.  Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, bore him many children.  She teased Hannah relentlessly for her inability to bear children.

But Elkanah did not care.  He loved Hannah more than if she bore him ten sons.

Hannah prayed and prayed to the Lord to give her a child.  The priest Eli told her the God may give her what she asked.  That prayer was soon answered.  She bore a child and she named him Samuel.  When her son was three, she took him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh, where she met up with the priest Eli again.  She told Eli that she was giving her son Samuel to him, so that he may dedicate his life to the Lord.

Wisdom vs. stupidity

In the book of Proverbs, chapter 9, it deals with the differences between wisdom and stupidity.

In order to obtain wisdom, one must first show reverence to God.  Without reverence, one is able to understand and will not gain wisdom.

Conceited people cannot be corrected.  They will only insult you.  The same goes with evil people.  They will only hurt you.

Wise people love to increase their knowledge by both obtaining more wisdom and understanding, and passing that understanding along to others.

Stupidity is like those who are conceited and/or evil.  Those who follow them do not know they are being led down a dark path.

Praise victory to the Lord

In Psalms 20, it talks about who we owe our victories to.

Simple: the Lord our God.

He will give us aid, protect us, give us what we desire, and help out plans succeed.  In return, shout for joy and give praise to God.  Others who succeed praise their own talents or their team or the physical implements of their success.

For us, our victory comes from God.

Ruth gets hitched

In the book of Ruth, chapter 3, Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi told her she must find a husband so she can have a place of her own.  She then said for her to go to Boaz's home and once he lies down for the night, to sleep at his feet.  When he awakens, he will tell her what to do.

Ruth did as she was told.

That night, Boaz awoke to find Ruth at his feet.  He blessed her with a load of barley to give to Naomi.  Then, he went to meet with the leaders of the community and purchased the land Naomi owned, and in turn married Ruth.

Ruth then bore a child, a son, who would be the grandfather of King David.