Lesson 27: Samuel, the Boy Prophet

Primary 6: Old Testament, (1996), 117–19

Purpose

To encourage the children to listen for the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Jesus Christ is our Savior and guide, and as we live righteously we may hear his voice through the power of the Holy Ghost.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/6759320/BGS_BibleCharacters_Medium.pdf

Article in the Friend:

http://c586449.r49.cf2.rackcdn.com/27%20Samuel%20is%20called%20by%20Jehovah.June%202010.pdf

Video:
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-12-25-chapter-25-samuel?lang=eng

Preparation

Figures

woman Hannah

woman Peninnah

man Elkanah

baby

boy, small

boy, bigger

man Eli

man son --Phinehas

man son-- Hophni

3 boys and 2 girls

1. Prayerfully study:

• 1 Samuel 1:1–5, 9–11—Hannah and Elkanah have no children. Hannah prays for a son and promises him to the Lord.
• 1 Samuel 1:17–28—Eli tells Hannah her prayer will be answered. Samuel is born, and Hannah fulfills her promise by bringing him to the temple.
1 Samuel
Otherwise Called the First Book of the Kings

Chapter 1

Hannah prays for a son and vows to give him to the Lord—Eli the priest blesses her—Samuel is born—Hannah loans him to the Lord.

1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:

2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.

4 ¶And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb.

6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.

7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

8 Then said Elkanah her husband to 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?

9 ¶So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord.

10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.

11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth.

13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.

16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. FAITH!

19 ¶And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.

20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.

21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

22 But 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 the Lord, and there abide for ever.

23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the Lord establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

24 ¶And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.

25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord.

27 For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

28 Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.
• 1 Samuel 2:18–21, 26—The child Samuel ministers at the temple. Eli blesses Samuel’s parents for letting him serve the Lord.
Chapter 2

Hannah sings praises to the Lord—Samuel ministers before the Lord—Eli blesses Elkanah and Hannah, and they have sons and daughters—The sons of Eli reject the Lord and live in wickedness—The Lord rejects the house of Eli.

1 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

2 There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

4 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

6 The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

7 The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.

9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

11 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the Lord before Eli the priest.

12 ¶Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.

13 And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;

14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.

15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.

16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.

17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.

18 ¶But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

19 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

20 ¶And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The Lord give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the Lord. And they went unto their own home.

21 And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord.

22 ¶Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.

24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord’s people to transgress.

25 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.

26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.

27 ¶And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house?

28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

30 Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.

32 And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.

33 And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.

34 And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

36 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests’ offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.

• 1 Samuel 3:1–10, 19–20—The Lord calls to the child Samuel.
Chapter 3

The Lord calls Samuel—The house of Eli will not be purged by sacrifices and offerings—Samuel is recognized as a prophet by all Israel—The Lord appears to him.

1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

4 That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

6 And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.

8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.

9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

11 ¶And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.

12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.

13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

15 ¶And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.

17 And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide anything from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.

19 ¶And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.

21 And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

• Revelation 3:20—Christ stands at the door, but we must listen for his voice.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

• Amos 3:7—The Lord speaks to Church members through his prophets.
7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

2. Additional reading:

• Moroni 7:13–17—The Spirit of Christ helps us know good from evil.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do goodcontinually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.

15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may knowgood from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

• Doctrine and Covenants 6:23, 23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?
D&C 8:2—Peace is spoken to the mind as a witness from God. The Holy Ghost speaks to our minds and hearts.
2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

• Doctrine and Covenants 9:8–9—Study it out in your mind; then ask for spiritual confirmation.
8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosomshall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have astupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.

• Alma 32:23—Little children are given words from God.
23 And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned.

3. Study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account (see “Preparing Your Lessons,”p. vi, and “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii). Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will best help the children achieve the purpose of the lesson.
4. Materials needed:
1. a. A Bible for each child.
2. b. A Book of Mormon and a Doctrine and Covenants.
3. c. Pictures 6-34, Hannah Presenting Samuel to Eli at the Temple; 6-35, Boy Samuel Called by the Lord (Gospel Art Picture Kit 111; 62498); and 6-36, Jesus at the Door (Gospel Art Picture Kit 237; 62170).

Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

After the children have entered the classroom, choose a child to go outside and knock at the door. Have another class member let the child in; then show the picture Jesus at the Door. Read and discuss Revelation 3:20. Let the children discuss why the artist painted the outside of the door with no doorknob. (Jesus is waiting to help us, but we must open the door ourselves to invite him in.) Ask the children how they can let the Savior into their lives. Help the children understand that one way the Lord speaks to us is through his Holy Spirit. If we listen to the Holy Ghost, we can receive guidance from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Tell the class that this lesson is about a young boy who heard the voice of the Lord, listened, and obeyed.

Scripture Account

Using the pictures at appropriate times, teach the children the account of Samuel’s birth and childhood from the scriptures listed in the “Preparation” section. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading and discussing the scriptures with the children in class will help them gain personal insights.

• Hannah traveled every year with her husband, Elkanah, to the temple to offer sacrifices to the Lord. She had no children, and at the temple she wept and prayed fervently for a son. What promise did Hannah make to the Lord as she prayed? (1 Samuel 1:11.) When Hannah left the temple after praying for a child, how did Eli comfort her? (1 Samuel 1:17–18.) How did Hannah keep her promise to the Lord? (1 Samuel 1:24–28.) Why is it important to keep the promises we make?
• What did Hannah bring for Samuel when she and Elkanah came up to the temple every year? (1 Samuel 2:19.) How was Hannah blessed after taking Samuel to be raised in the temple to serve the Lord? (1 Samuel 2:20–21.)
• Who spoke to Samuel in the night? (1 Samuel 3:4.) Whom did Samuel first think was calling him? (1 Samuel 3:5–6, 8.) How did Samuel learn it was the Lord calling? (1 Samuel 3:8–9.)

Later: Samuel anointed David who had slain Goliath.

• How do we receive promptings from the Lord? (Through the Holy Ghost, the scriptures, and the words of Church leaders.) Who helps us recognize what the Lord wants us to do? (The Holy Ghost, our parents, teachers, and Church leaders.) How can we prepare ourselves to receive and understand the influence of the Holy Ghost? (Keep our thoughts and actions pure, keep the commandments, ask Heavenly Father to send the influence of the Holy Ghost, and take time to listen for the Spirit after we pray for guidance. [See enrichment activity 3.])
• When the Lord has a message for the whole Church, how does he send it? (Amos 3:7.) Why do you think the Lord spoke to Samuel, a child? (1 Samuel 3:1.) Elder Harold B. Lee explained that at this time “there was no prophet upon the earth through whom the Lord could reveal his will” (“But Arise and Stand upon Thy Feet”—And I Will Speak with Thee, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year [7 Feb. 1956], p. 2). Because there was no other prophet, the Lord prepared Samuel from the beginning of his life to be His prophet.
• Which other prophets of God were called from boyhood? (Mormon [see Mormon 1:2–5] and the Prophet Joseph Smith.)
2 And about the time that Ammaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age, and I began to be learnedsomewhat after the manner of the learning of my people) and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe;

3 Therefore, when ye are about twenty and four years old I would that ye should remember the things that ye have observed concerning this people; and when ye are of that age go to the land Antum, unto a hill which shall be called Shim; and there have I deposited unto the Lord all the sacred engravings concerning this people.

4 And behold, ye shall take the plates of Nephi unto yourself, and the remainder shall ye leave in the place where they are; and ye shall engrave on the plates of Nephi all the things that ye have observed concerning this people.

5 And I, Mormon, being a descendant of Nephi, (and my father’s name was Mormon) I remembered the things which Ammaron commanded me.

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.

1. Tell the class of a time when a child (you or someone you know) heard and heeded the promptings of the Holy Ghost. You could tell the following true story:
A young boy was pedaling quickly, making deliveries on his bicycle. Suddenly he had a strong impression to stop. He immediately did so. As he stood with his bike by the side of the road, a car at a crossroad just ahead ran the red light and went through the intersection where the boy would have been had he not obeyed this prompting.

Invite the children to tell of times when they or someone in their families received impressions from the Holy Ghost that guided, warned, or comforted them. Explain that we do not have to hear an actual voice; we may have a strong feeling about something. When this happens, what should we do?
2. Ask the children the following question: When an impression or idea comes, how can we know it is from God? On the chalkboard or a large piece of paper write From God and Not from God. Then write Moroni 7:13, 16–17 and Doctrine and Covenants 6:23; 9:8–9. Read and discuss the references with the children, and put their ideas under the appropriate heading.
- Warm feeling inside
- You want to do good
- You want to love and serve God
- Peace in your mind
- Confusion
- You want to do what is wrong
- You do not want to follow Jesus
- You doubt Jesus Christ
3. Assign a child to represent the boy Samuel in the temple. Have another child pretend to be Eli, and choose a third to be the voice of the Lord. (Be careful about whom you ask to represent the Lord, and make sure that the child you choose uses only those words that are recorded in the scriptures.) Let the children act out the account of Samuel hearing the voice of the Lord (see 1 Samuel 3:1–10). Other children in the class could take turns reading the verses or directing the account.
4. Sing or read the words to “The Still Small Voice” (Children’s Songbook, p. 106).
5. Show the picture Jesus at the Door. Sing or read the words to“Seek the Lord Early” (Children’s Songbook, p. 108). Ask the class members to name the ways to seek the Lord mentioned in this song (search the scriptures, pray, obey the prophet, keep the commandments). Tell the children that as they do these things, they are inviting Jesus into their lives. Have the children sing this song with you again.

Conclusion

Testimony

Share with the children a time when you felt the Savior’s love or heeded the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Testify that Jesus Christ is our Savior and guide, and that as we live righteously we may hear his voice through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Suggested Family Sharing

Encourage the children to share with their families a specific part of the lesson, such as a story, question, or activity, or to read with their families the “Suggested Home Reading.”

Primary Old Testament

Pages

Sunday, July 6, 2014