Eli and Samuel

Characters: Readers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Eli, Hannah, Voice of God, and Samuel

Suggested stage settings: Scenes I and II, an improvised altar in the Tabernacle. Scenes

III and IV, Eli’s bedroom, perhaps a rug and couch.

Bible text: I Samuel 1-3

Scene I

First Reader: In the hill country of Ephraim there lived a man named Elkanah with his

wife Hannah. They had no children but longed for a son. Each year the

family went to Shiloh to worship at the tabernacle which had been set up

permanently there. The priest in charge of the tabernacle was Eli, who

was the fourteen the judge of Israel. After dinner Hannah left the family

and went into the tabernacle to pray.

Eli is standing at the front. Enter Hannah.

Hannah: (kneeling)

Dear Lord, if only you will give us a son, I will give him to your service as

long as he lives.

Eli: (Going over to Hannah)

How wicked of you to come into the Lord’s tabernacle drunk as you are.

Hannah: Oh no, I am not drunk like you think. I am very sad because I have no

child, and I came here to pray that God might send us one.

Eli: I am sorry for what I said. Go in peace, and may the Lord give you

your wish.

(Both Leave.)

Scene II In the tabernacle

Second Reader:

After the period of worship was finished, Elkanah took his wife home.

God answered Hannah’s prayer, and sent to them a baby boy. Hannah

gave him the name Samuel, which means ‘asked of God’. One year when

he was old enough to leave home, and his mother, she took his clothes and

they went to Shiloh to worship as usual. She brought Samuel to Eli, the

priest.

(Eli stands in front of the tabernacle. Enter Hannah with Samuel.)

Hannah: Here is my son whom God gave me. He is now old enough to be of

service, so I have brought him to you to use as the Lord needs him.

Eli: This pleases the Lord, for he will be great in His service.

Scene III

Third Reader:

Eli had two sons that helped with the sacrifices, but they were wicked

fellows. Eli did not cause them to do the right thing. They ate some of the

meat before hand that was to be offered as a sacrifice and the people lost

respect for the worship. Samuel was living with Eli and helping him. One

night both of them were asleep.

Voice: Samuel, Samuel.

(Samuel rises and goes to bedside of Eli.)

Samuel: Here am I.

Eli: I did not call, my son. Go back to bed.

(Samuel goes back to his bed.)

Pause.

Voice: Samuel.

(Samuel goes quickly to Eli again.)

Samuel: Here am I, for you called me.

Eli: No, my son, I did not call you. Lie down again.

(Samuel returns to bed.)

Another pause

Voice: Samuel, Samuel.

(Samuel goes to Eli.)

Samuel: Here am I, for you did call me.

Eli: It was not I that called you. If there is another call, you should say, ‘Speak

Jehovah, for thy servant heareth.’

(Samuel goes back to bed.)

Voice: Samuel, Samuel.

Samuel: (Rises) Speak, for thy servant heareth.

Voice: I have warned Eli that he is going to be punished because of his

wicked sons. They also will be punished. You will tell this news to Eli.

(Samuel lies down again.)

Scene IV

Fourth Reader:

That night Samuel lay there thinking of all this that the Lord had spoken to

him. The next day he did not go around Eli for he did not want to tell him

the bad news. But the old priest wanted to know what the Lord had to say

to him.

Eli: Samuel, come here.

(Enter Samuel)

My son, what did the Lord say to you last night?

Samuel: The Lord is going to destroy both your wicked sons. Your family will no

longer have the leadership among the people.

Eli: This is a terrible punishment to me for the wickedness of my sons. It is

Jehovah. Let him do what seemeth good to him.

(Exit both)

Fifth Reader:

Samuel grew into a fine man. The people knew that God had chosen him

to be their next prophet, and he is known as the prophet-judge making

fifteen judges of Israel.