Contact Us

870-648-9269

Facebook-f Pinterest

1 Samuel 1:21-2:26 | Samuel Becomes a Helper in the Tabernacle

LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS

In 1 Samuel 1:21-2:26, we see a mother keeping a promise she made to God. Hannah had prayed for a son, and she promised that if God gave her a child, she would give him back to the Lord to serve Him. After little Samuel was old enough to be weaned, Hannah brought him to the tabernacle at Shiloh and presented him to Eli the priest. Samuel stayed there to live and to help Eli. Even though it must have been hard to leave her boy, Hannah trusted God and kept her word. Every year she came back to visit and brought Samuel a new little robe she had sewn with love.

As Samuel grew, he became a real helper in the tabernacle. He wore a linen ephod, a special garment for those who served the Lord, and he did jobs like keeping the lamps burning and opening the doors of the tent each morning. The Bible tells us that Samuel kept growing in stature and in favor with both the Lord and people. At the same time, Eli’s own two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were not obeying God, which made Eli very sad. The contrast shows us even a young child can choose to serve and please God. This lesson reminds preschoolers that they are never too small to help, and that God is happy when children want to serve Him.

OPENING ACTIVITY 6:00-6:15 | Samuel’s Robe

Items Needed

Give each child a cardstock printout of Samuel’s Robe along with their own set of water paint. Allow them to decorate the robe. Explain to them that in our story today, we are are going to learn how each year Samuel’s mom would visit him at the Tabernacle and bring him a new robe.

BIBLE STORY 6:15-6:25

Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? 1 Samuel
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? (Old Testament)

[Hold up a small robe or a piece of cloth] Boys and girls, look what I have here. This is a little robe. Today we are going to hear about a boy named Samuel who wore a special robe like this because he was a helper at God’s house.

A long time ago, there was a mommy named Hannah. She wanted a baby so much. Hannah prayed and prayed to God for a baby. [Fold your hands] Let’s fold our hands like Hannah. [Let kids fold hands] God gave Hannah a baby boy! She named him Samuel.

Hannah made a promise to God. She said, “God, if you give me a son, I will give him back to you to be your helper.”

When Samuel was big enough,Hannah took him to God’s special house. It was called the tabernacle. [Make a tent shape with your hands] Can you make a tent with your hands? [Let kids make tent hands] The tabernacle was a big beautiful tent where people came to worship God.

Hannah brought Samuel to a priest named Eli. Samuel stayed at the tabernacle with Eli. He did lots of jobs. He cleaned things. He opened the doors of the tabernacle every morning. Sometimes Samuel even slept at God’s house.

Every year, Hannah came to visit Samuel. She always brought him a present. She brought him a brand new robe that she made just for him. Hannah loved Samuel so much, and Samuel loved God.

Now, Eli had two grown up sons. Their names were Hophni and Phinehas. Eli’s sons did not obey God. They were not good helpers. That made Eli very sad. Samuel however, obeyed God, and God was happy with Samuel.

The Bible says Samuel kept growing bigger and bigger, and God was pleased with him. You can be a helper like Samuel. Say it with me, “I can help God!”

Object Lesson: [Bring out a small flashlight or a battery candle] Look at this lamp. When the batteries are in and it is turned on, it shines bright. [Turn it on] See how it lights up the dark? Samuel’s job was to keep the lamps burning in God’s house so it was never dark. But a lamp needs someone to take care of it. [Turn it off] Without a helper, the light goes out. [Turn it on again] When we help, we keep the light shining. God gives each of us a job to do. Even small helpers, like you, can do big things for God when you help and obey. [Let kids take turns holding the flashlight]

Theological Questions:

  1. Who gave Samuel to Hannah? (God)
  2. What did Samuel do at God’s house? (He was a helper)

Life Application Questions:

  1. What is one way you can be a helper at home this week? (Answers will vary, such as picking up toys)
  2. Can you be a helper for God even though you are small? (Yes)

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for the story of Samuel who was a helper in Your house. Help me to be a helper too, just like it says in 1 Samuel 2:26 that Samuel grew in favor with You. Amen.

WORSHIP IN SONG 6:25-6:35

PRAYER 6:35-6:45 p.m.

Have the children transition to the floor for prayer time. Invite them to sit in a circle. Pray for the children to have willing hearts to be helpers for God at home, at church, and everywhere they go.

BIBLE STORY GAME 6:45-6:55 | Sweep the Tabernacle

Items Needed:

Scatter the pom pom balls around the room. Have the children line up behind the tape line. One at a time, each child runs out, picks up one “dust” ball, brings it back to a basket or box, and drops it in, saying, “All clean!” Then they tag the next child to go. Keep going until all the dust is swept up. Tell them that Samuel helped keep God’s special house clean and tidy, and they are being helpers just like Samuel.

BIBLE CRAFT 6:55-7:10 | Helping Hands

Items Needed

Paint each child’s hands and allow them to put the imprint in the middle of the template. Discuss ways they can help. Let them decorate their hearts and their hands with crayons and heart stickers.

SNACK TIME & BIBLE STORY VIDEO 7:10-7:25

Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat snacks while watching the Bible Story video.

BONUS ACTIVITY | Musical Helpers

Items Needed:

  • A small chair for each child (minus 1)
  • Music.

Set out one fewer chair than children, like musical chairs. Play music and have children and leaders walk around the chairs together. When the music stops, everyone finds a seat. The leader who is left out gets to be the “Special Helper” and leads the next round by starting the music or picking the next helper. Keep it friendly and make sure every child gets a turn to be the Special Helper.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE | 1 Samuel 1:21-2:26 (ESV)

The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.” 23 Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the Lord establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. 24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And they worshiped the Lord there.

2:1 And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. 2 “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. 5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. 6 The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. 8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world. 9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. 10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah. And the boy was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli the priest. 12 Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord. 13 The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, 14 and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 15 Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give meat for the priest to roast, for he will not accept boiled meat from you but only raw.” 16 And if the man said to him, “Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish,” he would say, “No, you must give it now, and if not, I will take it by force.” 17 Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord, for the men treated the offering of the Lord with contempt.

18 Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. 19 And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20 Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the Lord give you children by this woman for the petition she asked of the Lord.” So then they would return to their home. 21 Indeed the Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord.

22 Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. 24 No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. 25 If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death. 26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.

PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET

Today’s Key Takeaway: I can serve God

What I Learned Today: Today we learned about a boy named Samuel who lived at God’s special house, the tabernacle, and was a helper to the priest Eli. Hannah kept her promise to God and brought Samuel to serve Him, and she made him a new robe every year. We learned that even small children can be helpers who serve God.

Questions to Ask Me:

Theological Questions:

  1. Who gave baby Samuel to Hannah? (God)
  2. What was the name of the priest Samuel helped? (Eli)
  3. What special house did Samuel live in? (The tabernacle)
  4. What did Samuel wear while he served God? (A linen ephod and a little robe)
  5. Did God grow pleased with Samuel as he helped? (Yes)

Life Application Questions:

  1. What is one way you can be a helper at home? (Answers will vary, such as picking up toys)
  2. Can you be a helper for God even though you are small? (Yes)
  3. What did Samuel do to help at God’s house? (He kept the lamps burning and opened the doors)
  4. How can you help at church? (Answers will vary, such as being kind or helping clean up)
  5. Who can you help this week to show you love God? (Answers will vary, such as family or friends)