Interspersed throughout the Proverbs are a number of comments that give us a glimpse into the personal life of the writer. In these two verses Solomon reflects on the isolation – even loneliness – that a professional decision maker endures. Friendship and power do not mingle easily. The ancient adage that “for justice to be just,” it must be blind: it must not be influenced by issues of friendship, brotherhood, companionship or other kinds of self-interest.

Through Jesus, we can have a full life (John 10:10), overflowing with blessings (Psalm 23:5-6).

In the story of Ruth’s life, we see what that looks like, what it means to be redeemed, to be bought back from a life of limited hope, or no hope. We see how God responds to those who genuinely pursue him, even Ruth, a woman who once worshiped false gods (Ruth 1:15), and even Naomi who was bitter toward him.

Have you ever bargained with God? “Dear God, if you help me with _____ I promise I will ______.” In this passage we meet a woman who does just that.

Hannah is a married woman who has no children. In her day, being barren was a humiliation, often believed to be a punishment from God. Her barrenness was also a social embarrassment to her husband. But Elkanah loved her so much that her inability to have children didn’t matter to him.

Hannah has just given up the most precious thing in her life, her miracle son. What does she do next? Is Hannah going to ask God to forgive her but she wants her son back? Is she feeling the sacrifice is just too difficult to make, the promise impossible to keep? Hannah prays, “You make me strong and happy, Lord.” She kept her promise to God. The result is she feels strong and happy! Her entire prayer is one of rejoicing.

How can priests be dishonest and refuse to obey the Lord? It’s a total oxymoron! Priests were God’s representatives to the people. They had been chosen by God for this position. There were very strict rules of behaviour and duties. Yet Eli’s sons brazenly disobey and disrespect God in public. Even the people who were offering sacrifices knew the “rules” of sacrifice and offering to the Lord (v 16).

Eli’s sons showed no respect for the sacrifices the people offered.

The Lord had specially chosen Levites to be priests, his representatives to the people. It was a holy calling and responsibility. Yet even though Eli is aware of the disgusting, disrespectful, sinful things his sons are doing in their priestly role, he doesn’t stop them. They are thumbing their nose at God and Eli stands on the sidelines.

Disobedience, disrespect – these are widespread attitudes in today’s world.

We enter into a song in a deeper way when we know the story behind the song. King David wrote this song when he fled from his son Absalom (see 2 Samuel chapters15-18). One author calls this a “morning song of one in distress, but confident in God.” We might call this song our calm in the storm. Are you in stormy season? If so, learn to experience God’s peace through this psalm.

It was a painful chapter in David’s life involving his son’s rebellion, a political coup, and ultimately the death of Absalom.