Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of I Samuel Chapter 1
Metaphysically Interpreting I Samuel 1:1-28
1:1Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of the hill-country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite: 1:2and he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
1:3And this man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice unto Jehovah of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests unto Jehovah, were there. 1:4And when the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: 1:5but unto Hannah he gave a double portion; for he loved Hannah, but Jehovah had shut up her womb. 1:6And her rival provoked her sore, to make her fret, because Jehovah had shut up her womb. 1:7And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of Jehovah, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. 1:8And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
1:9So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest was sitting upon his seat by the door-post of the temple of Jehovah. 1:10And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto Jehovah, and wept sore. 1:11And she vowed a vow, and said, O Jehovah of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thy handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thy handmaid, but wilt give unto thy handmaid a man-child, then I will give him unto Jehovah all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
1:12And it came to pass, as she continued praying before Jehovah, that Eli marked her mouth. 1:13Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 1:14And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 1:15And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Jehovah. 1:16Count not thy handmaid for a wicked woman; for out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation have I spoken hitherto. 1:17Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace; and the God of Israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 1:18And she said, Let thy handmaid find favor in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat; and her countenance was no more sad.
1:19And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before Jehovah, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Jehovah remembered her. 1:20And it came to pass, when the time was come about, that Hannah conceived, and bare a son; and she called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of Jehovah.
1:21And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto Jehovah the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. 1:22But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned; and then I will bring him, that he may appear before Jehovah, and there abide for ever. 1:23And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only Jehovah establish his word. So the woman tarried and gave her son suck, until she weaned him. 1:24And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of Jehovah in Shiloh: and the child was young. 1:25And they slew the bullock, and brought the child to Eli. 1:26And she said, Oh, my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto Jehovah. 1:27For this child I prayed; and Jehovah hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 1:28therefore also I have granted him to Jehovah; as long as he liveth he is granted to Jehovah. And he worshipped Jehovah there.
August 10, 1930: I Samuel 1:9-18
From a metaphysical viewpoint, what does Hannah represent? Hannah represents “grace, defense.” She may be thought of as the soul established in divine grace and favor through high aspirations, consecration to God, and much earnest prayer.
The husband of Hannah was Elkanah. What does Elkanah represent? Elkanah means “God hath created.” He is typical of man's understanding that his inheritance is from God, that selfishly he owns nothing. Before we can receive divine inspiration, we must understand that the Word, which is God, creates in the soul the voice of Truth.
Interpret the word Eli. Eli (summit, Most High) is representative of the intellect under spiritual discipline. Eli condemned Hannah because he thought that she had partaken too freely of wine; but as soon as he understood the nature of her trouble, he assured her and gave her encouragement.
Hannah prayed to Jehovah for a son. Explain. Children are typical of innocent, sincere thoughts. The soul desires above all else to be innocent, whole, single-minded. The Jewish wife who was childless felt herself to be subject justly to reproach. The birth of a son was counted the most joyful event that could come into her life.
Explain the meaning of the name Samuel. The name Samuel (son of Hannah) means “heard of God,” and represents, by implication, the inner voice. The soul craves new ideas direct from God mind; but before one can realize and bring forth new spiritual ideas, the soul must be joyous, confident, and peaceful. “The woman went her way, and did eat; and her countenance was no more sad.”
August 13, 1933: I Samuel 1:9-11
What is the meaning of the word Hannah? The word Hannah means “grace, defense” She may be thought of as the soul established in divine grace and favor through high aspiration, consecration to God, and much earnest prayer.
What often hinders soul growth? The soul feeds upon new ideas direct from God-Mind; but when it insists on remaining conscious of its own shortcomings, it cannot realize divine indwelling Spirit. As long as Hannah was in bitterness of soul because of her childless state, her prayers remained unanswered.
What does Eli represent? Eli (“summit,” “Most High”) represents the intellect under spiritual discipline.
How does man touch the spring of spiritual understanding? When man calls his faculties together and holds for light, he is given spiritual understanding. He then knows that his desire is granted and will be objectified.
August 21, 1938: I Samuel 1:9-18
What does eating and drinking in Shiloh symbolize? Eating is a form of affirmation of spiritual substance. Shiloh (whole, sound, Saviour) represents peace of mind, wholeness, security, abundant good. Affirmations should always be made in the Shiloh consciousness.
Was Hannah in this consciousness, when she offered the first prayer recorded in this lesson? No. Hannah was in bitterness of soul and did not eat. She “wept sore” instead. Her consciousness was wholly negative.
What does the name Hannah represent? Hannah (grace, favor) represents the soul established in divine grace and favor because of its high aspirations and earnest prayer.
Why did not Eli understand that Hannah was engaged in silent prayer? Eli (“my God”) represents the intellect under spiritual discipline. Eli’s understanding was intellectual rather than spiritual, and he therefore lacked sympathetic appreciation of Hannah's problem. Hannah wept as she prayed, whispering her prayer instead of reciting it aloud as was custom at that time.
Why was Hannah's first prayer ineffectual? Hannah was in no fit state of mind to make contact with spiritual power. Grief and bitterness incapacitate the soul for making union with God and realizing the answer to prayer.
How was this mental condition overcome in Hannah? Eli set her free by proclaiming peace of mind for her and adding his benediction: “Go in peace; and the God of Israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of him.”
What state of mind was restored to her? The normal state of a believer in God. She broke her fast and regained cheerfulness.
What does the change brought about in Hannah by a kind word from Eli indicate? It shows the responsibility that rests on the Truth teacher and all others acting as authorities, to make the Christ principles clear and the way of life unmistakable to those who look to them for help.
July 27, 1952: I Samuel 1:20,24-28
What does the name Samuel mean, and what is its metaphysical significance? Samuel means “heard of God, instructed of God.” Metaphysically, Samuel represents spiritual discernment, or that in us which has conscious contact with God and learns of God.
Does the faculty of judgment enter into spiritual discernment? Yes. Samuel, who judged Israel forty years and was perhaps its greatest judge, represents the inner voice of divine inspiration and guidance also.
What is essential to communion with the inner voice? Receptivity to Spirit, obedience, fearlessness, and candor. Samuel possessed all these.
What is the meaning of the name, Hannah, and what does Hannah symbolize? The name Hannah means “grace,” “favor,” “compassion.” Hannah symbolizes the soul established in divine grace, receiving that which it desires, the ability to perceive Truth.
What do children typify? Sincere, innocent thoughts. The soul of man aspires to be whole, innocent, single-minded.
August 10, 1930: I Samuel 1:24-29
Explain the meaning of Samuel's being brought into the house of Jehovah. The house of Jehovah is the body temple. They “brought him {Samuel} into the house of Jehovah ... and the child was young.” The inner voice, represented by Samuel, in its infancy is known as intuition. As this power grows through use, we know it as the Spirit of truth within the soul.
August 13, 1933: I Samuel 1:24-28
What does the babe Samuel symbolize? The babe Samuel represents a new state of consciousness which has direct contact with God, and which learns of God continually. He represents the wisdom and judgment that come often as a still small voice in the heart center.
How may one hear the voice of Truth in his own soul? When man tries earnestly and persistently to live in the Christ consciousness, he learns to hear the voice of Truth in his soul.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-31-2014
