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Comments have been prepared by Chris Haslam using reputable commentaries, and checked for accuracy by the Venerable Alan T Perry. While not intended to be exhaustive, they are an aid to reading the Scriptures with greater understanding.

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At one time, the first and second books of Samuel formed a single book. They were separated in the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures known as the Septuagint (about 250 BC). 1 Samuel begins with the story of Samuel: hence the name. 1 Samuel is the first of four books which tell the story of Israel's monarchy. Samuel anointed the first king. We then read about King Saul, and later about David's rise to prominence.

Elkanah has two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. Peninnah has borne him children, but for many years Hannah has been childless. Even so, Elkanah has loved her. After years of Peninnah’s taunting, Hannah could take it no longer. During an annual pilgrimage to the temple at Shiloh, she has sought out Eli the priest; before him she has vowed that if God granted her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord. Further, he would refrain from drink and not allow his head to be shaved throughout his life. Eli has interceded with God on her behalf and she has trusted in God to grant her wish. After returning home, a son has been born to her and Elkanah. When Samuel is old enough (probably aged three or four), she has taken him to Eli, to serve in the Temple.

Now we read of Samuel’s childhood. A “linen ephod” was an apron, a light ceremonial garment worn by a priest – so Samuel is now a priest. The couple continue to visit the temple annually (“yearly sacrifice”, v. 19), perhaps on the Day of Atonement. Hannah’s “gift ... to the Lord” (v. 20) is her son. As repayment for Samuel’s faithful service, “the Lord took note of Hannah” (v. 21) by giving her five more children. Samuel grows up not in a home and family but “in the presence of the Lord ”, in the temple. Samuel’s fidelity is contrasted with the evil ways of Eli’s sons, who even lie with women who have sacred duties (v. 22). The sons’ misdeeds are known in the community (v. 24). They sin against God by their disregard for Eli, by their irreverence, and their greed and arrogance concerning sacrificial meat – so God has to punish them (v. 25). On the other hand, Samuel grows in spirituality and popularity in the community (v. 26). Eli’s sons die when the Philistines defeat Israel in battle ( 4:11).

Psalms is a collection of collections. The psalms were written over many centuries, stretching from the days of Solomon's temple (about 950 BC) to after the Exile (about 350 BC.) Psalms are of five types: hymns of praise, laments, thanksgiving psalms, royal psalms, and wisdom psalms. Within the book, there are five "books"; there is a doxology ("Blessed be ... Amen and Amen") at the end of each book.

The psalter ends with five hallelujah (“Praise the Lord”) psalms, of which this is one. In vv. 1-6 the psalmist invites the heavens to praise God, then in vv. 7-12 he bids all on the earth to do so. Even inanimate objects (e.g. “sun and moon”, v. 3) are to praise him. (Ancient cosmology held that the sun, moon and stars travelled on concentric hemispheres above the earth, and above them was God’s storehouse of “waters above the heavens” (v. 4), the source of rain and snow.) God commanded that the heavens be created (v. 5). The movement of the celestial bodies are per an everlasting law (v. 6). The heavens shall praise him for creating them and making their existence permanent. In vv. 7-12, the list of created things proceeds from the lowest forms (“sea monsters”) to the highest, humans. The “wind” (v. 8, Hebrew: ruah) does God’s will; ruah also means spirit . In v. 11, “all peoples” are invited to praise the Lord.

Colossae was a city in what is now southwestern Turkey. It had a flourishing wool and textile industry and a significant Jewish population. It seems that most Christians there were Gentile. Although long thought to be written by Paul, today this epistle is considered non-Pauline for a number of reasons. The most compelling is that it emphasizes what God has already done for his people: Paul tells us what God is going to do in the future (although some argue that Paul shifted his viewpoint in later life.) It gives descriptions of false teachings which were being promulgated in the churches. Some scholars consider this evidence of later authorship. In the ancient world, writing in the name of a respected author was accepted and regarded as an honour.

The author has already begun to describe the true Christian life. In what is probably an early baptismal instruction, he has called on his readers to “Set your minds on things that are above” (v. 2). When Christ comes again, they will be seen as being with him in power (v. 4) but those who follow evil ways will suffer the wrath of God (v. 5-6). The author has told them: “you have stripped off the old self with its practices” (v. 9) and “have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator” (v. 10).

Now he tells them, chosen by God as they are, what virtues, ethical qualities, are expected of them: “compassion” (v. 12) is sympathy for the needs of others and “meekness” is gentleness and consideration towards others. Christ’s forgiveness of them (and us) is a model for their conduct towards each other (v. 13). The primary quality for the Christian is “love” (v. 14).

In v. 15, the word translated “rule” literally means be umpire or referee: so may “the peace of Christ” be the reference point for your consciences, as it is for you all in the Church (“one body”). May the understanding, the knowledge, of the way Christ works be yours, and may sharing this in the community lead you to deeper understanding (“wisdom”, v. 16); may you show your thankfulness to the Father through the Son in worship. In all your words and actions, speak and do as though Christ were doing them.

Luke

Three gospels in the New Testament offer similar portraits of the life of Jesus; Luke is the third of them. Its author, traditionally Luke the physician who accompanied Paul on some of his missionary journeys, draws on three sources: Mark (via Matthew), a collection of sayings (known as Q for Quelle, German for source) and his own source. It is a gospel that emphasizes God's love for the poor, the disadvantaged, minorities, outcasts, sinners and lepers. Women play a more prominent part than in the other gospels. Luke never uses Semitic words; this is one argument for thinking that he wrote primarily for Gentiles.

This is the only passage in the Bible that tells of Jesus’ boyhood. On the “festival of the Passover”, Jews celebrated both Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the Festival of Unleavened Bread, a symbol of the start of a new year. Jesus’ family is pious. He is now “twelve years old” (v. 42); in another year, he will officially become a man (now celebrated by Jews in the bar mitzvah). After the eight days of the festival, the “group” (v. 44, probably the whole village) begins the journey back to Nazareth. Joseph and Mary find Jesus in the outer court of the Temple “among the teachers” (v. 46), experts in Jewish law. Respectful of the law, he not only listens and asks questions, but also answers their questions.

V. 49 marks a turning point in the gospel: these are the first words of Jesus we have; for the first time Jesus’ father is named as the Father – until now, Joseph has been called his father. Note “must”: the relationship between Jesus and the Father requires obedience. Parents do reach the point where they do not understand their children (v. 50); here Mary and Joseph do not comprehend that his relationship with God takes precedence over being their child. Upon return to Nazareth, he obeys his parents in everyday life. In spite of not understanding, Mary “treasured” (v. 51) what Jesus says – as his mother and also as the model believer. Jesus continues to grow physically and in understanding, preparing himself for the mission that lies ahead of him (v. 52).

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