Our Christian Life and Ministry. November 10 through November 16 [Press play below to hear the Meeting Workbook]
[Press play below to hear Song of Solomon 3 through 5]
[Click to read Bible chapter]|[ Song of Solomon 3 through 5] “Upon my bed during the nights, I sought the one I love. I sought him, but I did not find him. 2 I will arise and roam the city; In the streets and in the public squares, Let me seek the one I love. I sought him, but I did not find him. 3 The watchmen making their rounds in the city found me. ‘Have you seen the one I love?’ 4 Scarcely had I passed by them When I found the one I love. I held on to him, I would not let him go Until I brought him into my mother’s house, Into the interior room of her who conceived me. 5 I put you under oath, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles and the does of the field: Do not try to awaken or arouse love in me until it feels inclined.” 6 “What is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the fragrant powders of a merchant?” 7 “Look! It is the couch belonging to Solomon. Sixty mighty men surround it, Of the mighty men of Israel, 8 All of them armed with a sword, All trained in warfare, Each with his sword at his side To guard against the terrors of the night.” 9 “It is the royal litter of King Solomon That he made for himself from the trees of Lebanon. 10 Its pillars he made of silver, Its supports of gold. Its seat is of purple wool; Its interior was lovingly decorated By the daughters of Jerusalem.” 11 “Go out, O daughters of Zion, Gaze at King Solomon Wearing the wedding crown his mother made for him On the day of his marriage, On the day of his heart’s rejoicing.” Chapter 4. “Look! You are beautiful, my beloved. Look! You are beautiful. Your eyes are those of doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats Streaming down the mountains of Gilead. 2 Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn sheep That have come up from being washed, All of them bearing twins, And not one has lost her young. 3 Your lips are like a scarlet thread, And your speech is delightful. Like a segment of pomegranate Are your cheeks behind your veil. 4 Your neck is like the tower of David, Built with courses of stone Upon which are hung a thousand shields, All the circular shields of the mighty men. 5 Your two breasts are like two fawns, The twins of a gazelle, That feed among the lilies.” 6 “Until the day grows breezy and the shadows flee, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh And to the hill of frankincense.” 7 “You are altogether beautiful, my beloved, There is no blemish in you. 8 Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, Come with me from Lebanon. Descend from the peak of Amanah, From the peak of Senir, the peak of Hermon, From the lairs of lions, from the mountains of leopards. 9 You have captured my heart, my sister, my bride, You have captured my heart with one glance of your eyes, With one pendant of your necklace. 10 How beautiful your expressions of affection are, my sister, my bride! Your expressions of affection are far better than wine, And the fragrance of your perfume than any spice! 11 Your lips, my bride, drip with comb honey. Honey and milk are under your tongue, And the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. 12 My sister, my bride, is like a locked garden, A locked garden, a spring sealed shut. 13 Your shoots are a paradise of pomegranates With the choicest fruits, with henna along with spikenard plants, 14 Spikenard and saffron, cane and cinnamon, With all sorts of trees of frankincense, myrrh, and aloes, Along with all the finest perfumes. 15 You are a garden spring, a well of fresh water, And flowing streams from Lebanon. 16 Awake, O north wind; Come in, O south wind. Breathe upon my garden. Let its fragrance spread.” “Let my dear one come into his garden And eat its choicest fruits.” Chapter 5. “I have entered my garden, O my sister, my bride. I have picked my myrrh and my spice. I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey; I have drunk my wine and my milk.” “Eat, dear friends! Drink and become intoxicated with expressions of affection!” 2 “I am asleep, but my heart is awake. There is the sound of my dear one knocking! ‘Open to me, O my sister, my beloved, My dove, my flawless one! For my head is wet with dew, The locks of my hair with the moisture of the night.’ 3 I have taken off my robe. Must I put it back on? I have washed my feet. Must I soil them again? 4 My dear one withdrew his hand from the hole of the door, And my feelings for him were stirred. 5 I got up to open to my dear one; My hands dripped with myrrh, And my fingers with liquid myrrh, Onto the handles of the lock. 6 I opened to my dear one, But my dear one had turned away, he had gone. I felt despair when he departed. I sought him, but I did not find him. I called him, but he did not answer me. 7 The watchmen making their rounds in the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me. The watchmen of the walls took my shawl away from me. 8 I put you under oath, O daughters of Jerusalem: If you find my dear one, Tell him that I am lovesick.” 9 “How is your dear one better than any other dear one, You most beautiful of women? How is your dear one better than any other dear one, That you put us under such an oath?” 10 “My dear one is dazzling and ruddy; He stands out among ten thousand. 11 His head is gold, the finest gold. The locks of his hair are like waving palm fronds, As black as the raven. 12 His eyes are like doves by streams of water, Bathing themselves in milk, Sitting by a brimming pool. 13 His cheeks are like a bed of spices, Mounds of scented herbs. His lips are lilies, dripping with liquid myrrh. 14 His hands are cylinders of gold, set with chrysolite. His abdomen is polished ivory covered with sapphires. 15 His legs are pillars of marble set on pedestals of the finest gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, as unrivaled as the cedars. 16 His mouth is sweetness itself, And everything about him is desirable. This is my dear one, this is my beloved, O daughters of Jerusalem.” [End of Bible chapters] [Click to close]
Song 31 Oh, Walk With God! Based on Micah 6.8
1. Oh, walk with God in modesty;
Show loyal love, and be true.
Stay close to Jehovah, leaning on him,
And let his strength sustain you.
Keep holding tight to his faithful Word;
You’ll never drift away.
So let God lead you by the hand
As you listen and obey.
2. Oh, walk with God in holiness;
Consider things that are pure.
No matter how great temptations may be,
He’ll help you to endure them.
Whatever praiseworthy things there are,
Whatever things are true,
Continue to consider them,
And our God will be with you.
3. Oh, walk with God in happiness;
Rejoice that he is your Friend.
Be thankful for all the gifts that he gives
And blessings that are endless.
Oh, walk with God, let your heart be glad;
Express your joy in song.
Your joy will show, and all will know,
To Jehovah you belong.
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
Treasures From God’s Word. 1. The Importance of Inner Beauty (10 minutes)
The Shulammite girl’s speech reflected her inner beauty
[Inserted scripture] Song of Solomon 4.3: Your lips are like a scarlet thread, And your speech is delightful. Like a segment of pomegranate Are your cheeks behind your veil. [End of inserted scripture]
[Inserted scripture] Song of Solomon 4.11: Your lips, my bride, drip with comb honey. Honey and milk are under your tongue, And the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. [End of inserted scripture]
[Reference material Watchtower 2015 January 15th page 30 paragraph 8] Not all expressions of affection made in the song draw attention to physical beauty. Consider what the shepherd says about the young woman’s speech. (Read Song of Solomon 4.7)
[Quotation] Song of Solomon 4.7: “You are altogether beautiful, my beloved, There is no blemish in you. [End Quotation]
Her lips are said to “drip with comb honey.” (Song of Solomon 4.11) Why? Because comb honey is sweeter and more flavorful than honey that has been exposed to air. “Honey and milk are under [her] tongue,” meaning that like honey and milk, her speech is pleasant and good. Clearly, when the shepherd says to the girl, “you are altogether beautiful, ... there is no blemish in you,” he has more than her physical beauty in mind. [End of reference material]
Her moral purity was compared to a garden of rare beauty
[Inserted scripture] Song of Solomon 4.12: My sister, my bride, is like a locked garden, A locked garden, a spring sealed shut. [End of inserted scripture]
[Reference material Watchtower 2000 November 1st page 11 paragraph 17] A third integrity keeper was a Shulammite maiden. Young and beautiful, she attracted the affections of not only a shepherd boy but also the wealthy king of Israel, Solomon. Throughout the beautiful story told in the Song of Solomon, the Shulammite remained chaste, thus earning the respect of those around her. Solomon, though rejected by her, was inspired to record her story. The shepherd she loved also respected her chaste conduct. At one point he mused that the Shulammite was like “a garden barred in.” (Song of Solomon 4.12) In ancient Israel, beautiful gardens contained a delightful variety of vegetables, fragrant flowers, and stately trees. Such gardens were typically enclosed by a hedge or a wall and could be entered only through a locked gate.
[Quotation] Isaiah 5.5: Now, please, let me tell you What I will do to my vineyard: I will remove its hedge, And it will be burned down. I will break down its stone wall, And it will be trampled on. [End Quotation]
To the shepherd, the Shulammite’s moral purity and loveliness were like such a garden of rare beauty. She was completely chaste. Her tender affections would be available only to her future husband. [End of reference material]
Inner beauty, which is more important than outer beauty, is within the reach of all
[Reference material Watchtower 2004 December 22nd page 9 paragraphs 2 through 5] Can inner beauty attract others? Georgina, who has been married for nearly ten years, says: “Throughout the years, I have been drawn to my husband because of his honesty and sincerity toward me. The most important thing in his life is to please God. This has contributed to his being considerate and loving. He takes me into account in his decisions and makes me feel appreciated. I know that he really loves me.”
3. Daniel, who was married in 1987, says: “My wife is beautiful to me. Not only am I physically attracted to her but her personality makes me love her even more. She always thinks about other people and takes an interest in making them feel good. She has valuable Christian qualities. This has made it pleasant for me to be with her.”
4. In this superficial world, we need to see past the surface. We need to see that achieving the “ideal” look is difficult, if not impossible, and of very limited value. Yet, developing desirable qualities that contribute to true inner beauty is possible. The Bible says: “Charm may be false, and prettiness may be vain; but the woman that fears Jehovah is the one that procures praise for herself.” In contrast, the Scriptures warn: “As a gold nose ring in the snout of a pig, so is a woman that is pretty but that is turning away from sensibleness.”
[Quotation] Proverbs 11.22: Like a gold ring in the snout of a pig Is a beautiful woman who rejects good sense. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Proverbs 31.30: Charm may be false, and beauty may be fleeting, But the woman who fears Jehovah will be praised. [End Quotation]
5. God’s Word helps us to value “the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible apparel of the quiet and mild spirit, which is of great value in the eyes of God.” (1 Peter 3.4) Truly, such inner beauty is far more important than physical beauty. And it is within the reach of all. [End of reference material]
Ask yourself, ‘What spiritual qualities do I appreciate most in others?’
![[Image:] Collage: 1. A sister lovingly comforts a younger sister in distress. 2. A younger brother joyfully assists an elderly brother as they work together in the ministry.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/266a77_c8cb433aa1284355a9bedfe6cfba32ee~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_962,h_541,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/495.jpg)
[Image Alt:] Collage: 1. A sister lovingly comforts a younger sister in distress. 2. A younger brother joyfully assists an elderly brother as they work together in the ministry.
2. Spiritual Gems (10 minutes)
Song of Solomon 3.5 Why are the “daughters of Jerusalem” put under oath “by the gazelles and the does of the field”?
[Inserted scripture] Song of Solomon 3.5: I put you under oath, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles and the does of the field: Do not try to awaken or arouse love in me until it feels inclined.” [End of inserted scripture]
[Reference material Watchtower 2006 November 15th page 18 paragraph 4] Why are the court ladies put under oath “by the female gazelles or by the hinds of the field”? Gazelles and hinds are noted for their gracefulness and beauty. In effect, the Shulammite maiden is obligating the court ladies by everything that is graceful and beautiful to refrain from trying to awaken love in her. [End of reference material]
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share?
3. Bible Reading (4 minutes) Song of Solomon 4.1 through 16 (Apply yourself to reading and teaching study 2) [Press play below to hear the Bible reading]
Song of Solomon 4.1 through 16. “Look! You are beautiful, my beloved. Look! You are beautiful. Your eyes are those of doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats Streaming down the mountains of Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn sheep That have come up from being washed, All of them bearing twins, And not one has lost her young. Your lips are like a scarlet thread, And your speech is delightful. Like a segment of pomegranate Are your cheeks behind your veil. Your neck is like the tower of David, Built with courses of stone Upon which are hung a thousand shields, All the circular shields of the mighty men. Your two breasts are like two fawns, The twins of a gazelle, That feed among the lilies.” “Until the day grows breezy and the shadows flee, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh And to the hill of frankincense.” “You are altogether beautiful, my beloved, There is no blemish in you. Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, Come with me from Lebanon. Descend from the peak of Amanah, From the peak of Senir, the peak of Hermon, From the lairs of lions, from the mountains of leopards. You have captured my heart, my sister, my bride, You have captured my heart with one glance of your eyes, With one pendant of your necklace. How beautiful your expressions of affection are, my sister, my bride! Your expressions of affection are far better than wine, And the fragrance of your perfume than any spice! Your lips, my bride, drip with comb honey. Honey and milk are under your tongue, And the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. My sister, my bride, is like a locked garden, A locked garden, a spring sealed shut. Your shoots are a paradise of pomegranates With the choicest fruits, with henna along with spikenard plants, Spikenard and saffron, cane and cinnamon, With all sorts of trees of frankincense, myrrh, and aloes, Along with all the finest perfumes. You are a garden spring, a well of fresh water, And flowing streams from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind; Come in, O south wind. Breathe upon my garden. Let its fragrance spread.” “Let my dear one come into his garden And eat its choicest fruits.” [End of scripture]
[Reference Material] Apply yourself to reading and teaching. Study 2. Conversational Manner.
[Quotation] 2 Corinthians 2.17: We are, for we are not peddlers of the word of God as many men are, but we speak in all sincerity as sent from God, yes, in the sight of God and in company with Christ. [End Quotation]
Summary: Speak in a natural, sincere way that conveys how you feel about the topic and your listeners.
[Press play below for Video: Study 2. Conversational Manner. (3:45)]
[Click for Transcript]|[Study 2. Conversational Manner]
(Text: Apply Yourself to Reading and Teaching 2. Conversation Manner. 2 Corinthians 2.17. Summary: Speak in a natural, sincere way that conveys how you feel about your topics and your listeners)
Presenter: Speaking in a conversational manner means talking in a natural, sincere way that conveys how you feel. While this might sound simple, it can be a challenge when you’re nervous. These four steps can help:
(Text: How to do it: Pray. Prepare carefully. Speak from the heart. Look at your listeners)
pray, prepare carefully, speak from the heart, and look at your listeners. This is important when we give talks and when we share in the ministry; let’s see why as we watch these examples of public witnessing.
(A couple stand next to a literature cart in the street. A woman approaches and reaches for a publication)
Brother: Take whatever you want. There’s no charge.
(The woman jumps)
Woman: Oh, that’s OK. Maybe another time.
(She shakes her head and walks away)
Presenter: Could the brother’s manner have been more conversational? Well, he could have tried to make eye contact.
(Text: Review: Eye contact. Posture. Gestures. Facial expressions)
What about his posture, gestures, and facial expressions? Let’s watch a better example.
(The couple stand next to a literature cart in the street. The woman approaches)
Sister: Good morning.
Woman: Good morning.
Brother: You’re welcome to take whatever you like.
Woman: Thank you.
(The woman selects a tract about suffering)
Brother: Do you think we’ll ever see an end to suffering?
Woman: I’m not really sure.
Brother: If you have just a moment, I’d like to show you what the Bible has to say.
(He shows the woman his phone)
Woman: OK.
Presenter: A friendly manner opened the way to a conversation.
(Text: Review: Friendly manner)
It can also help when we’re giving a talk.
(Text: How to do it: Speak using your own words)
We should try to speak in our own words. Let’s observe these examples.
(A Brother presents a talk. Silhouette of audience)
Brother: When Jesus was nailed to the stake in 33 C.E., it hardly looked possible that he could have a kingdom at all. But in his preaching of the Kingdom of God, he had not been a proclaimer of erroneous news. On the third day after his death, the Founder of the Kingdom made sure that the disciples of Jesus would not be offering up prayer for a government that was not possible. Jehovah resurrected the One who was to represent Him in the prayed-for Kingdom and clothed him with immortality.
Presenter: Did you understand the words of the speaker? Most likely. Was it spiritual food? Yes. Was he using conversational manner? Not really.
(Text: Review: Use your own words. make eye contact)
Could he have had more eye contact with his audience? Yes. Let’s watch the speaker present the information in his own words.
(The Brother presents a talk. Silhouette of audience)
Brother: Jesus preached about God’s Kingdom and taught his followers to pray for it. But when he died in 33 C.E., they may have wondered if the Kingdom really would come. Any doubts they had were erased three days later when Jehovah resurrected his Son, the future King of his Kingdom.
Presenter: A natural, sincere delivery is more appealing. It holds people’s attention, puts them at ease, and makes them more receptive to what you have to say.
(Text: Review: Holds attention. Puts audience at ease. Makes audience more receptive. Apply Yourself to Reading and Teaching 2. Conversation Manner. 2 Corinthians 2.17)
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2020 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
How to Do It: Prepare prayerfully and carefully. Pray for help to concentrate, not on yourself, but on your message. Fix in your mind the main points you need to convey. Express thoughts in your own words; do not simply recite expressions word for word as they appear in print.
Tip: If you plan to read from the Bible or another publication, get to know the passage well so that your reading will be fluent. If people are quoted, read their words with feeling, without being overly dramatic.
Speak from the heart. Think about why your listeners need to hear the message. Focus on them. Then your posture, gestures, and facial expressions will convey warm sincerity and friendliness.
Tip: Do not confuse naturalness with casualness. Maintain the dignity of your message by using clear speech and proper grammar.
Look at your listeners. Maintain eye contact where it is not offensive to do so. When you give a discourse, look at one individual in the audience at a time, rather than looking at or scanning over the entire group. [End of Reference Material]
Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry. 4. Starting a Conversation (3 minutes)
House to House. Use the direct approach to offer a Bible study. (Love People Make Disciples lesson 6 point 4)
[Reference Material Love People Make Disciples lesson Boldness point 4] Imitate Jesus. Do not prejudge people. We may hesitate to approach some people because of their physical appearance, social or economic status, lifestyle, or religious beliefs. But remember: a. Jehovah and Jesus can read hearts; we cannot. b. No one is beyond the reach of Jehovah’s mercy. [End of Reference material]
5. Starting a Conversation (4 minutes)
Informal Witnessing. Show the person how to find information in his language on jw.org. (Love People Make Disciples lesson 4 point 3)
[Reference Material Love People Make Disciples lesson Humility point 3] Imitate Paul. Do not be condescending. Avoid giving the impression that you know everything and that the other person knows nothing. Speak with him in a respectful way. [End of Reference material]
6. Talk (5 minutes)
Bible Questions Answered article 131. Theme: What Does the Bible Say About Wearing Makeup and Jewelry? (Apply yourself to reading and teaching study 1)
[Reference Material Bible Questions Answered: What Does the Bible Say About Wearing Makeup and Jewelry?] The Bible’s answer.
While it does not discuss this subject in detail, the Bible does not condemn the wearing of makeup, jewelry, or other forms of adornment. However, rather than focusing on physical appearance, the Bible promotes “the incorruptible adornment of the quiet and mild spirit.”
[Quotation] 1 Peter 3.3 and 4: Do not let your adornment be external, the braiding of hair and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothing,?but let it be the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible adornment of the quiet and mild spirit, which is of great value in the eyes of God. [End Quotation]
Physical adornment not condemned
Faithful women in the Bible adorned themselves. Rebekah, who married Abraham’s son Isaac, wore a gold nose ring, gold bracelets, and other expensive jewelry that she received as a gift from her future father-in-law.
[Quotation] Genesis 24.22: When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out for her a gold nose ring weighing a half shekel and two bracelets of gold weighing ten shekels, [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Genesis 24.30: When he saw the nose ring and the bracelets on the hands of his sister and heard the words of his sister Rebekah, who was saying, “This is the way the man spoke to me,” he came to meet the man, who was still there standing by the camels at the spring. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Genesis 24.53: And the servant began to bring out articles of silver and of gold and garments and to give them to Rebekah, and he gave valuable things to her brother and to her mother. [End Quotation]
Similarly, Esther accepted “beauty treatments” to prepare for her potential role as queen of the Persian Empire.
[Quotation] Esther 2.7: He was the guardian of Hadassah, that is, Esther, the daughter of his father’s brother, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was beautifully formed and attractive in appearance, and at the death of her father and her mother, Mordecai took her as his daughter. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Esther 2.9: Now the young woman was pleasing to him and won his favor, so he promptly arranged for her beauty treatments and her diet, and he assigned to her seven selected young women from the king’s house. He also transferred her and her young attendants to the best place in the house of the women. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Esther 2.12: Each young woman had her turn to go in to King Ahasuerus after completing the 12-month treatment that was prescribed for the women, for this was the way they had to fulfill their beauty treatment, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with balsam oil and various ointments for beauty treatment. [End Quotation]
These treatments apparently included the use of “cosmetics,” or “different kinds of makeup.” New International Version; Easy-to-Read Version.
Bible illustrations use jewelry in favorable comparisons. For instance, a person who offers good advice is compared to “an earring of gold ... to the receptive ear.”
[Quotation] Proverbs 25.12: Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to the receptive ear. [End Quotation]
Likewise, God himself compared his treatment of the nation of Israel to that of a husband who adorns his bride with bracelets, a necklace, and earrings. This adornment made the nation “extremely beautiful.”
[Quotation] Ezekiel 16.11 through 13: I adorned you with ornaments and put bracelets on your hands and a necklace around your neck. I also put a ring in your nose and earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. You kept adorning yourself with gold and silver, and your clothing was fine linen, costly material, and an embroidered garment. Fine flour, honey, and oil were what you ate, and you grew to be extremely beautiful, and you became fit to be a queen.’” [End Quotation]
Misconceptions about makeup and jewelry.
Misconception: At 1 Peter 3:3, the Bible condemns “the braiding of hair and the wearing of gold ornaments.”
Fact: The context shows that the Bible is highlighting the value of inner beauty in contrast to that of a fine appearance or adornment.
[Quotation] 1 Peter 3.3 through 6: Do not let your adornment be external, the braiding of hair and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothing, but let it be the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible adornment of the quiet and mild spirit, which is of great value in the eyes of God. For this is how the holy women of the past who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, subjecting themselves to their husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you have become her children, provided you continue doing good and do not give in to fear. [End Quotation]
This contrast is also made elsewhere in the Bible.
[Quotation] 1 Samuel 16.7: But Jehovah said to Samuel: “Do not pay attention to his appearance and how tall he is, for I have rejected him. For the way man sees is not the way God sees, because mere man sees what appears to the eyes, but Jehovah sees into the heart.” [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Proverbs 11.22: Like a gold ring in the snout of a pig Is a beautiful woman who rejects good sense. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Proverbs 31.30: Charm may be false, and beauty may be fleeting, But the woman who fears Jehovah will be praised. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] 1 Timothy 2.9 and 10: Likewise, the women should adorn themselves in appropriate dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, not with styles of hair braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive clothing, but in the way that is proper for women professing devotion to God, namely, through good works. [End Quotation]
Misconception: The use of eye paint, or “eye shadow,” by wicked Queen Jezebel proves that wearing makeup is wrong.
[Quotation] 2 Kings 9.30: When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes with black paint [Footnote] Or “eye shadow” [End of footnote] and adorned her head and looked down through the window. [End Quotation]
Fact: Jezebel, who practiced sorcery and murder, was judged for her wicked deeds, not for her appearance.
[Quotation] 2 Kings 9.7: You must strike down the house of Ahab your lord, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and of all the servants of Jehovah who died at the hands of Jezebel. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] 2 Kings 9.22: As soon as Jehoram saw Jehu, he said: “Are you coming in peace, Jehu?” But he said: “What peace could there be as long as there is the prostitution of Jezebel your mother and her many sorceries?” [End Quotation]
[Quotation] 2 Kings 9.36 and 37: When they returned and told him, he said: “This fulfills the word of Jehovah that he spoke through his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘In the plot of land of Jezreel, the dogs will eat the flesh of Jezebel. And the dead body of Jezebel will become as manure on the surface of the field in the plot of land of Jezreel, so that they may not say: “This is Jezebel.”’” [End Quotation]
[End of reference material]
[Reference Material] Apply yourself to reading and teaching. Study 1. Effective Introduction.
[Quotation] Acts 17.22: Paul now stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens, I see that in all things you seem to be more given to the fear of the deities than others are. [End quotation]
Summary: Your introduction should arouse interest, identify your subject, and show why your listeners should be interested in it.
[Press play below for Video: Study 1. Effective Introduction. (4:18)]
[Click for Transcript]|[Study 1. Effective Introduction]
(Text: Apply Yourself to Reading and Teaching: 1 Effective Introduction. Acts 17.22. Summary: Your introduction should arouse interest, identify your subject, and show why the subject is important to your listeners)
Presenter: You’re at the Kingdom Hall about to give a public talk. Will the audience listen to what you have to say? Much depends on how you introduce your subject. An effective introduction arouses interest, identifies your subject, and shows why the subject is important to your listeners. Let’s give our brother an opportunity to introduce his subject.
(A Brother presents a talk. Silhouette of audience)
Brother: As the meeting chairman mentioned, we’re going to talk about death and what it means to you and me. Let’s read a scripture at Ecclesiastes 9:5.
Presenter: So, what do you think?
(Text: Review: Identify his subject? Arouse interest? Show why the subject is important?)
Did the speaker identify his subject? Yes. Did he arouse interest? Not so much. Did he show why the subject is important? No. So how might he approach the subject differently? Let’s watch.
(The brother presents a talk. Silhouette of audience)
Brother: Throughout all of human history, not one person has escaped death. The lives of some people are cut short suddenly by unexpected events or illness. Have you ever lost a loved one in death? If so, you know how painful that is. Yet how can something that causes so much pain be a normal, natural part of life? The Bible is the key to understanding why we die, where we go when we die, and how death will be reversed. Let’s consider each of those points.
Presenter: You can apply this principle to any subject when giving a talk. But how can you effectively introduce a subject in the ministry? Remember, of course, that in most cases you’re a complete stranger to the householder.
(Text: In the ministry: Try not to startle the person. Identify yourself. Observe the activities or surroundings. Ask a question or comment on those things)
Try not to startle the person. Identify yourself early in the conversation. To determine what a person might be interested in, observe his activities or surroundings. You might begin by asking a question or making a brief comment about those things. Let’s consider one example.
(In a garden, two sisters speak with a woman)
Jill: Hi, my name is Jill. I’m here to talk about God’s purpose for the future. The Bible says here
Woman: Sorry, but I don’t have time to talk.
Presenter: Was the introduction effective? The householder didn’t want to continue the conversation, so apparently the introduction didn’t arouse interest. How might the publisher have handled the situation better?
(In a garden, two sisters speak with a woman)
Jill: Good morning. You have a beautiful garden. It must take a lot of work.
Woman: It sure does!
Jill: Well, your work is certainly paying off.
Woman: Thank you.
Jill: By the way, my name is Jill, and this is Tammy.
Woman: I’m Emily.
Jill: Emily, you work so hard to care for the garden you planted. Do you think that God cares the same way about this planet that he created?
(Text: Take into account the interests of the householder)
Because the publisher took into account the interests of the householder, she increased the chances of starting a conversation and sharing the Kingdom message. This can also be done in urban areas where people expect you to get right to the point.
(Text: Include a thought-provoking question)
In such settings, try to include a thought-provoking statement or question in your introduction. Effective introductions are the first step toward productive conversations and presentations of the good news.
(Text: Apply Yourself to Reading and Teaching: 1 Effective Introduction. Acts 17.22)
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2018 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
How to Do It: Arouse interest. Select a question, statement, real-life experience, or news item that will be of interest to your listeners.
Tip: In advance, give careful thought to the interests and concerns of your listeners and adapt your introduction accordingly.
Identify your subject. Make sure that your introduction makes the subject and purpose of your presentation clear to your listeners.
Show why the subject is important. Adapt what you say to the practical needs of your listeners. They should clearly understand how the subject can help them personally.
Tip: While preparing a discourse, ask yourself, ‘What situations are brothers and sisters in my congregation facing?’ Then tailor your introduction to their needs.
[Box] In the Ministry. To determine what a person might be interested in, observe his or her activities or surroundings. Begin a conversation by asking a question or making a brief comment about those things. [End of Box] [End of Reference Material]
Living as Christians. Song 36 We Guard Our Hearts. Based on Proverbs 4.23
1. We guard our hearts, it means our life;
We shun the path of sin.
God reads the heart, and there he finds
The person deep within.
Sometimes the heart deceives the mind,
And we begin to stray.
So may our mind direct our heart
And keep Jehovah’s way.
2. Prepared in heart, we search for God
By means of earnest prayer.
Each day we give him praise and thanks,
Revealing ev’ry care.
The things Jehovah teaches us,
We gladly will obey.
We cultivate a loyal heart,
To please him ev’ry day.
3. Our hearts we shield from harmful thoughts,
We dwell on what is true.
We love God’s Word to touch our hearts,
To strengthen and renew.
Jehovah loves his loyal ones;
On this we can depend.
We’ll worship him wholeheartedly
Forever as his friend.
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
7. Marry Only in the Lord (Genesis 28 verse 2) (8 minutes)
[Quotation] Genesis 28.2: Go away to Paddanaram to the house of Bethuel, your mother’s father, and from there take for yourself a wife from the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother. [End Quotation]
[Press play below for Video: Robert Ciranko: Marry Only in the Lord (Gen. 28:2) (8:00)]
[Click for transcript]|[Robert: You know, thinking about today’s text,
AD: Robert Ciranko
Robert: you may wonder, ‘Does the Bible give any guidance ‘for single Christians today who want to find a marriage mate?’ Well, of course it does. And we know where—1 Corinthians 7:39. Let’s turn there and read it —1 Corinthians 7:39— it says: “A wife is bound as long as her husband is alive. “But if her husband should fall asleep in death, “she is free to be married to whomever she wants, only in the Lord.” Now, this is not merely personal advice from a human. The apostle Paul wrote it under inspiration, so this counsel comes from God. And “the faithful and discreet slave” has been very clear as to what ‘marrying only in the Lord’ means. For example, the article “Find Joy in Your Marriage” in a 2008 issue of The Watchtower said: “Plainly a servant of God should choose as a marriage mate “one who is ‘in the Lord,’ a dedicated, baptized fellow worshipper.” And we commend all of you, single or married, for having shown and showing respect for the divine command to marry “only in the Lord.” And it is just that, a command. It is not a suggestion or just an option for those who wish to marry. Now, perhaps you’ve heard others say: “Well, maybe this is just a carryover from the Mosaic Law. It’s obsolete for modern-day servants of God.” Actually, the precedent for such marriages was established long before a law was given to God’s people. And we can see the history of this if we look at the cross-references noted at the end of 1 Corinthians 7:39. So at the top of the center column, you’ll see for that cross-reference mark four scriptures, the first of which is in Genesis. Let’s turn there to Genesis chapter 24 and begin reading in verse 2 —it says: “Abraham said to his servant, “the oldest one of his household, who was managing all he had: “‘Please put your hand under my thigh, “‘and I will make you swear by Jehovah, “‘the God of the heavens and the God of the earth, “‘that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, “‘among whom I am dwelling. “‘You must go instead to my country and to my relatives and take a wife for my son, for Isaac.’” So when it came time for Abraham to find a wife for his beloved son Isaac, Abraham wanted to safeguard his family from the influence of false religion that was so prevalent in Canaan. He wanted to see to it that Isaac married someone who had the same faith in Jehovah. Back in 1948, the Watchtower stated: “Abraham thus set up a precedent “for the rule stated by the apostle Paul, for believers to marry ‘only in the Lord.’” Now, later, Isaac wanted the same for his son Jacob, as shown in Genesis chapter 28. Jacob’s brother Esau, however, did his own thing and married Hittite women. And for good reason, the Bible says that they were “a source of great grief” to Esau’s parents, because his choice in wives was very displeasing to Jehovah. Centuries later while the Israelites were en route to the Promised Land, they were commanded to avoid marrying nonbelievers in Canaan. And that takes us to our second cross-reference, Deuteronomy 7:3, 4. So let’s read that —Deuteronomy 7:3, 4. They were told: “You must not form any marriage alliances with them. “Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. “For they will turn your sons away from following me “to serve other gods; then Jehovah’s anger will blaze against you.” And so important was this that Jehovah incorporated it into his divine Law to Israel. It’s sad to say that there were Israelites back then who thought they were strong enough spiritually to marry women who worshipped false gods. But God’s command on this matter could not be ignored with impunity —not even by the wisest man of those days, King Solomon, who took many heathen women as wives. Oh, he may have thought they were nice girls (nicer girls than the Israelite girls) and that he could bring them into the truth, but instead they stole his heart away from Jehovah and they took him out of the truth. And his bad choices in wives became legendary. That brings us to our third cross-reference. It’s in Nehemiah chapter 13, verses 26 and 27 —Nehemiah 13 says: “Was it not because of these that King Solomon of Israel sinned? “Among the many nations there was no king like him; “and he was loved by his God, so that God made him king over all Israel. “But the foreign wives caused even him to sin. “Is it not something unheard of for you to commit this great evil “in acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?” —strong words, aren’t they? Well, even today, marrying an unbeliever causes serious problems that might lead a servant of Jehovah to compromise his or her religious beliefs or even to abandon them altogether. And at the very least, it will be a relationship that’s very straining for the Christian, to try to live by Bible principles with a mate who resists those efforts. Now we come to our fourth cross-reference. It takes us back to the apostle Paul’s letters, this time his second one —2 Corinthians chapter 6, where he writes something that emphasizes what we already read in his first letter —2 Corinthians 6:14: “Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers.” And why not? Look at the end of verse 15: “What does a believer share in common with an unbeliever?” Good question. Marrying an unbeliever flouts Jehovah’s counsel and results in an unequal yoke that cannot help but produce stress and friction because the beliefs, the values, the goals of unbelievers are so different from those of true Christians. And, really, the greatest strength any married couple can achieve comes from being mutually devoted to Jehovah. So despite what some may think, the command to marry “only in the Lord” is not obsolete. And there exists no circumstance that suspends or revokes it. And in those few cases where an unbeliever came into the truth, it’s not evidence of God’s approval of marrying out of the truth. I’m reminded of a sister many years ago who married an unbeliever. Her husband eventually came into the truth. And on the day of his baptism, another sister told her, “Look how Jehovah has blessed you.” She said in return, “No, but I believe he has forgiven me.” What if you are a single Christian wanting to marry and you cannot find a prospective marriage mate who is dedicated and baptized? Well, wait until you can. And never forget that Jehovah knows what is best for you. So make your needs a matter of earnest prayer. And in this regard, there’s an article in the March 15, 2015, Watchtower entitled “Marry ‘Only in the Lord’—Still Realistic?” The last subheading is titled “While Waiting on Jehovah.” It says: “Rest assured that the Most High takes an interest “in all his faithful servants and that you are precious in his eyes. “He cares about your needs and your yearnings. “He does not promise anyone a mate. “Yet, if you really need a marriage mate, God knows the best way to satisfy your legitimate desires.”
[Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2015 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.] [Click to close]
8. Would You Make a Good Marriage Mate? (7 minutes) Discussion.
Are you looking for a marriage mate? When other Christians who want to marry observe you, do they see someone with beautiful spiritual qualities? Although someone may be able to act like a spiritual person for a time, eventually what he or she is on the inside will become apparent.
Write down a scripture that corresponds to each of the following qualities that a spiritual person displays. Love for Jehovah and faith in him. Ability to exercise headship or to submit to it. Unselfishness and self-sacrificing love. Good judgment, balance, and reasonableness. Diligence and industriousness
![[Image:] A sister offering her seat on a bus to an older woman.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/266a77_507f8ef96f3c4563a0a7561b0c9ff7e8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_955,h_537,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/495.jpg)
[Image:] A sister offering her seat on a bus to an older woman.
![[Image:] A brother offering a tract to a coworker as they leave the construction site where they were working.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/266a77_9b298fbac484422482f48dfe94197742~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_960,h_540,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/495.jpg)
[Image:] A brother offering a tract to a coworker as they leave the construction site where they were working.
![[Image:] Two brothers and two sisters working together in the ministry. One of the brothers kindly directs the sisters to the area where they should preach.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/266a77_a99259f9eafa42808f44d02e0c9848c1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_962,h_541,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/495.jpg)
[Image:] Two brothers and two sisters working together in the ministry. One of the brothers kindly directs the sisters to the area where they should preach.
9. Congregation Bible Study (30 minutes)
Lessons you can learn from the Bible, lessons 34 and 35.
Lesson 34. Gideon Conquered the Midianites
In time, Israel again turned away from Jehovah and began to worship false gods. For seven years, the Midianites stole the Israelites’ animals and destroyed their crops. To escape from the Midianites, the Israelites hid in caves and in the mountains. They begged Jehovah to save them. So Jehovah sent an angel to a young man named Gideon. The angel said: ‘Jehovah has chosen you to be a mighty warrior.’ Gideon asked: ‘How can I save Israel? I am nothing.’
How would Gideon know that Jehovah had chosen him? He put a piece of wool on the ground and said to Jehovah: ‘In the morning, if the wool is wet from the dew but the ground is dry, I will know that you want me to save Israel.’ The next morning, the wool was soaking wet and the ground was dry! But then Gideon asked that the next morning the wool be dry and the ground wet. When that happened, Gideon was finally convinced that Jehovah had chosen him. He gathered his soldiers to fight the Midianites.
Jehovah told Gideon: ‘I will give the Israelites victory. But because you have so many soldiers, you might think that you won the battle by yourselves. Tell anyone who is afraid that he should go home.’ So 22,000 soldiers went home, and 10,000 remained. Jehovah then said: ‘There are still too many soldiers. Bring them to the stream, and tell them to drink the water. Keep with you only those who watch out for the enemy while they drink.’ Only 300 of the men stayed alert while they drank. Jehovah promised that these few men would conquer the 135,000 Midianite soldiers.
During that night, Jehovah told Gideon: ‘Now is the time to attack the Midianites!’ Gideon gave his men horns and large jars with torches hidden inside. He told them: ‘Watch me, and do exactly what I do.’ Gideon blew his horn, smashed his jar, waved his torch, and shouted: ‘The sword of Jehovah and of Gideon!’ All of his 300 men did the same. The Midianites were terrified and ran wildly in all directions. In the chaos, they began to attack one another. Once again, Jehovah helped the Israelites conquer their enemies.
![[Image:] Gideon and his men blow horns, smash jars, wave torches, and shout](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/266a77_22bf22cc38fb468f9757c4b61d71252c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_970,h_485,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/495.jpg)
[Image:] Gideon and his men blow horns, smash jars, wave torches, and shout
![[Image:] Terrified Midianite soldiers](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/266a77_2b04653f878b469cb109fc6ce636032c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_960,h_480,al_c,lg_1,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/495.jpg)
[Image:] Terrified Midianite soldiers
“So that the power beyond what is normal may be God’s and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7
[Box] Questions:
How did Jehovah prove to Gideon that He had chosen him?
Why did Gideon’s army have only 300 men?
Supplementary Questions:
What does this account teach us about Jehovah?
What practical lessons can we learn from this account?
If applicable, How can the material be applied in the family, the congregation, or the field ministry?
(Judges 6:1 through 16; 6:36 through 7:25; 8:28)
[Quotation] Judges 6.1 through 16: But the Israelites again did what was bad in the eyes of Jehovah, so Jehovah gave them into the hand of Midian for seven years. The hand of Midian dominated over Israel. Because of Midian, the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, in the caves, and in the places difficult to approach. If Israel sowed seed, Midian and Amalek and the Easterners would attack them. They would camp against them and ruin the produce of the land all the way to Gaza, and they left nothing for Israel to eat and no sheep or bull or donkey. For they would come up with their livestock and tents as numerous as the locusts, and they and their camels could not be numbered, and they would come into the land to destroy it. So Israel became greatly impoverished on account of Midian; and the Israelites called to Jehovah for help. When the Israelites called to Jehovah for help because of Midian, Jehovah sent to the Israelites a prophet who said to them: “This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says, ‘I brought you up from Egypt and thus brought you out of the house of slavery. So I rescued you from the hand of Egypt and from all your oppressors and drove them out from before you and gave you their land. And I said to you: “I am Jehovah your God. You must not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are dwelling.” But you did not obey me.’” Later Jehovah’s angel came and sat under the big tree that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abi-ezrite. His son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress in order to hide it from Midian. Jehovah’s angel appeared to him and said: “Jehovah is with you, you mighty warrior.” At this Gideon said to him: “Pardon me, my lord, but if Jehovah is with us, why has all of this come upon us? Where are all his wonderful acts that our fathers related to us, saying, ‘Did Jehovah not bring us up out of Egypt?’ Now Jehovah has deserted us and given us into Midian’s hand.” Jehovah faced him and said: “Go with the strength you have, and you will save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Is it not I who send you?” Gideon answered him: “Pardon me, Jehovah. How can I save Israel? Look! My clan is the least in Manasseh, and I am the most insignificant in my father’s house.” But Jehovah said to him: “Because I will be with you, you will strike down Midian as if they were one man.” [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Judges 6.36 through 7.25: Then Gideon said to the true God: “If you are saving Israel by means of me, just as you have promised, here I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only but all the ground around it is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by means of me, just as you have promised.” And that is how it happened. When he rose up early the next day and wrung the fleece, he squeezed off enough dew from the fleece to fill a large banquet bowl with water. However, Gideon said to the true God: “Do not let your anger burn against me, but let me ask just once more. Let me, please, make just one more test with the fleece. Please let the fleece alone be dry while there is dew all over the ground.” So that is what God did that night; only the fleece was dry, and there was dew all over the ground. Then Jerubbaal, that is, Gideon, and all the people with him rose early and encamped at the Spring of Harod, while the camp of Midian was north of him at the hill of Moreh in the valley plain. Jehovah now said to Gideon: “There are too many people with you for me to give Midian into their hand. Otherwise, Israel might brag about itself against me and say, ‘My own hand saved me.’ Now, please, announce in the presence of the people: ‘Whoever is afraid and trembling, let him return home.’” So Gideon put them to the test. With that, 22,000 of the people returned home, and 10,000 remained. Still Jehovah said to Gideon: “There are yet too many people. Have them go down to the water so that I may test them for you there. When I say to you, ‘This one will go with you,’ he will go with you, but when I say to you, ‘This one will not go along with you,’ he will not go along.” So he took the people down to the water. Then Jehovah said to Gideon: “Separate everyone who laps up the water with his tongue just as a dog laps, from those who bend down on their knees to drink.” The number of those lapping up the water, putting their hand to their mouth, was 300 men. The rest of the people bent down on their knees to drink. Jehovah now said to Gideon: “I will save you with the 300 men who lapped the water, and I will give Midian into your hand. But let all the other people go back home.” So after they took the provisions and the horns from the people, he sent all the other men of Israel back home, and he kept only the 300 men. The camp of Midian was below him in the valley plain. During that night, Jehovah said to him: “Get up, attack the camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with Purah your attendant. Listen to what they say, and afterward you will have the courage to attack the camp.” At that he and Purah his attendant went down to the edge of the encamped army. Now Midian and Amalek and all the Easterners covered the valley plain like a swarm of locusts, and their camels were without number, as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. Gideon now came, and there was a man relating a dream to his companion, and he said: “This is the dream I had. There was a round loaf of barley bread rolling into the camp of Midian. It came to a tent and struck it so hard that it collapsed. Yes, it turned the tent upside down, and the tent fell flat.” At this his companion said: “This can only be the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel. God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand.” As soon as Gideon heard him relate the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down to worship. After that he returned to the camp of Israel and said: “Get up, for Jehovah has given the camp of Midian into your hand.” Then he divided the 300 men into three bands and gave all of them horns and large empty jars with torches inside the jars. Then he said to them: “Watch me and do exactly what I do. When I come to the edge of the camp, you should do just as I do. When I blow the horn, I and all who are with me, you also must blow the horns all around the camp and shout, ‘For Jehovah and for Gideon!’” Gideon and the 100 men who were with him came to the edge of the camp at the start of the middle night watch, just after the sentries were posted. They blew the horns and smashed the large water jars that were in their hands. So the three bands blew the horns and shattered the large jars. They held the torches in their left hands and blew the horns in their right hands and they called out: “The sword of Jehovah and of Gideon!” All the while each man stood in his place all around the camp, and the whole army ran away, shouting as they fled. The 300 continued to blow the horns, and Jehovah turned the sword of each one against the other throughout the camp; and the army fled as far as Beth-shittah, on to Zererah, as far as the outskirts of Abel-meholah by Tabbath. And the men of Israel were called together from Naphtali, Asher, and all of Manasseh, and they chased after Midian. Gideon sent messengers into all the mountainous region of Ephraim, saying: “Go down to attack Midian, and capture the access to the waters as far as Beth-barah and the Jordan.” So all the men of Ephraim were gathered together, and they captured the waters as far as Beth-barah and the Jordan. They also captured the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; they killed Oreb on the rock of Oreb, and they killed Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They kept on pursuing Midian, and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon in the region of the Jordan. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Judges 8.28: Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites, and they did not challenge them again; and the land had rest for 40 years in the days of Gideon. [End Quotation]
[End of box]
Lesson 35. Hannah Prays for a Son
An Israelite named Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah, but he loved Hannah more. Peninnah mocked Hannah all the time because Hannah had no children and Peninnah had many children. Each year, Elkanah took his family to worship at the tabernacle in Shiloh. One time when they were there, he noticed that his beloved Hannah was very sad. He said: ‘Please don’t cry, Hannah. You have me. I love you.’
Later, Hannah went off on her own to pray. She could not stop crying as she begged Jehovah to help her. She promised: ‘Jehovah, if you give me a son, I will give him to you, and he will serve you all his life.’
High Priest Eli saw Hannah sobbing, and he thought that she was drunk. Hannah answered: ‘No, my lord, I am not drunk. I have a serious problem, and I am talking with Jehovah about it.’ Eli realized that he was wrong and told her: ‘May God give you what you want.’ Hannah felt better and went on her way. In less than a year, she had a son and named him Samuel. Can you imagine how happy Hannah must have been?
![[Image:] High Priest Eli sees Hannah crying as she prays](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/266a77_6afb5771b3e044f380c0f1a882e139f1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_403,h_538,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/495.jpg)
[Image:] High Priest Eli sees Hannah crying as she prays
Hannah did not forget her promise to Jehovah. As soon as she stopped nursing Samuel, she brought him to serve at the tabernacle. She told Eli: ‘This is the boy I prayed for. For all his days, I lend him to Jehovah.’ Elkanah and Hannah visited Samuel each year and brought him a new sleeveless coat. Jehovah gave Hannah three more sons and two daughters.
![[Image:] Hannah presents little Samuel to Eli at the tabernacle](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/266a77_cc9a98529ebb4f36955231eae1d733d3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_970,h_485,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/495.jpg)
[Image:] Hannah presents little Samuel to Eli at the tabernacle
“Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find.” Matthew 7:7
[Box] Questions:
Why was Hannah distressed?
How did Jehovah bless Hannah?
Supplementary Questions:
What does this account teach us about Jehovah?
What practical lessons can we learn from this account?
If applicable, How can the material be applied in the family, the congregation, or the field ministry?
(1 Samuel 1:1 through 2:11; 2:18 through 21)
[Quotation] 1 Samuel 1.1 through 2.11: Now there was a man of Ramathaim-zophim of the mountainous region of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; one was named Hannah, and the other was named Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. That man went up from his city year after year to worship and to sacrifice to Jehovah of armies in Shiloh. That is where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, served as priests to Jehovah. One day when Elkanah offered a sacrifice, he gave portions to his wife Peninnah as well as to all her sons and her daughters, but to Hannah he gave a special portion, because Hannah was the one he loved; but Jehovah had not given her children. Moreover, her rival wife taunted her relentlessly in order to upset her because Jehovah had not given her children. That is what she would do year after year; whenever Hannah went up to the house of Jehovah, her rival would taunt her so much that she would weep and not eat. But her husband Elkanah said to her: “Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you not eat, and why are you so sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” Then Hannah got up after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. At the time, Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of Jehovah. Hannah was extremely bitter, and she began to pray to Jehovah and to weep uncontrollably. And she made this vow: “O Jehovah of armies, if you look upon the affliction of your servant and remember me and you do not forget your servant and give to your servant a male child, I will give him to Jehovah all the days of his life, and no razor will touch his head.” While she prayed for a long time before Jehovah, Eli was watching her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart, only her lips were trembling, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. Eli said to her: “How long will you stay drunk? Stop drinking your wine.” At this Hannah answered: “No, my lord! I am a woman under great stress; I have not drunk wine or anything alcoholic, but I am pouring out my soul before Jehovah. Do not take your servant for a worthless woman, for I have been speaking until now out of my great anguish and distress.” Then Eli answered: “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him.” To this she said: “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” And the woman went on her way and ate, and her face was no longer downcast. Then they got up early in the morning and bowed before Jehovah, after which they returned to their house in Ramah. Elkanah had sexual relations with his wife Hannah, and Jehovah gave attention to her. Within a year Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son and named him Samuel, because, as she said, “it is from Jehovah that I have asked him.” In time Elkanah went up with all his household to offer the yearly sacrifice to Jehovah and to present his vow offering. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband: “As soon as the boy is weaned, I will bring him; then he will appear before Jehovah and remain there from then on.” Elkanah her husband then said to her: “Do what you think is best. Stay at home until you wean him. May Jehovah carry out what you have said.” So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she weaned him. As soon as she had weaned him, she took him up to Shiloh, along with a three year old bull, one ephah of flour, and a large jar of wine, and she came to the house of Jehovah in Shiloh and brought the young boy with her. Then they slaughtered the bull and brought the boy to Eli. With that she said: “Pardon me, my lord! As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing with you in this place to pray to Jehovah. It was for this boy that I prayed, and Jehovah granted my petition that I asked of him. I, in turn, now lend him to Jehovah. For all his days, he is lent to Jehovah.” And he bowed down there to Jehovah. Then Hannah said in prayer: “My heart rejoices in Jehovah; My horn is exalted by Jehovah. My mouth is opened wide against my enemies, For I rejoice in your acts of salvation. There is no one holy like Jehovah, There is no one but you, And there is no rock like our God. Do not keep speaking with haughtiness; Let nothing arrogant come from your mouth, For Jehovah is a God of knowledge, And by him deeds are rightly evaluated. The bows of mighty men are shattered, But those who are stumbling are given strength. The well-fed must hire themselves out for bread, But the hungry hunger no more. The barren has given birth to seven, But she who had many sons has become desolate. Jehovah kills, and he preserves life; He brings down to the Grave, and he raises up. Jehovah impoverishes, and he enriches; He abases, and he exalts. He raises the lowly one from the dust; He lifts up the poor from the ash heap, To make them sit with princes, Giving them a seat of honor. To Jehovah belong earth’s supports, And he places the productive land upon them. He guards the steps of his loyal ones, But the wicked will be silenced in darkness, For not by power does a man prevail. Jehovah will shatter those fighting against him; He will thunder against them from the heavens. Jehovah will judge to the ends of the earth, He will give power to his king And exalt the horn of his anointed one.” Then Elkanah went to his house in Ramah, but the boy became a minister of Jehovah before Eli the priest. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] 1 Samuel 2.18 through 21: Now Samuel was ministering before Jehovah, wearing a linen ephod, though he was just a boy. Also, his mother would make for him a little sleeveless coat, and she brought it up to him year after year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife and said: “May Jehovah grant you a child from this wife in place of the one who was lent to Jehovah.” And they went back home. Jehovah turned his attention to Hannah, so that she could conceive; and she gave birth to three more sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel continued growing up before Jehovah. [End Quotation]
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Song 44 A Prayer of the Lowly One. Based on Psalm 4.1
1. Jehovah God, I call to you and ask you.
“Hear my prayer.”
My wounds are deep and slow to heal;
my load is hard to bear.
Despondent thoughts and disappointed hopes
have left me weak.
O God of comfort, care for me;
your favor I do seek.
Do raise me up; help me endure.
When I’m in doubt, make my hope sure.
From deep despair, I turn to you.
Jehovah God, my strength renew.
2. Your Word has been my comfort and
a refuge when I’m weak,
Expressing feelings dear to me
in words I cannot speak.
Please build in me the faith and trust
that your Word does impart.
And help me always know your love
is greater than my heart.
Do raise me up; help me endure.
When I’m in doubt, make my hope sure.
From deep despair, I turn to you.
Jehovah God, my strength renew.
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
