How we cite our quotes:
Quote #1
And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there. {yearly: Heb. from year to year}. (1 Samuel 1:3, KJV)
Now this man used to go up year by year from his town to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the LORD. (1 Samuel 1:3, NRSV)
We don't know about you, but we like to head out on the town every so often. We're pretty cool and hip that way. Unfortunately for those living in the ancient world, heading out to the neighborhood bar where everybody knows your name isn't really a feasible option. For most, the only fun they got to have was the festival once a year at the temple. That might sound kind of lame to us, but it was a hoot back then. Maybe we should start one and see what happens.
Quote #2
But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever. (1 Samuel 1:22, KJV)
But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of the LORD, and remain there forever; I will offer him as a nazirite for all time." (1 Samuel 1:22, NRSV)
When we meet Hannah, we discover that she can't have kiddos. So, being a quick thinker, she makes a promise to God. If God will give her a child, then she will give her son back to God. When her son Samuel is old enough, he goes to live in the temple. Believe us, it might seem weird, but to them, it was an honor. We're just not sure Samuel was all that into it during his teenage years.
Quote #3
And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand; And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither. Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw. And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force. {presently: Heb. as on the day} Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD. (1 Samuel, 2:13-17. KJV)
Or for the duties of the priests to the people. When anyone offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, and he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, 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. Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the one who was sacrificing, "Give meat for the priest to roast; for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw." And if the man said to him, "Let them burn the fat first, and then take whatever you wish," he would say, "No, you must give it now; if not, I will take it by force." Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD; for they treated the offerings of the LORD with contempt. (1 Samuel, 2:13-17, NRSV)
Even though this sounds like the rules for the world's oddest barbecue, the sacrifice of a fat animal used to be extremely important. Going back all the way to Cain and Abel, the sacrificial offering is a Big Deal for the Man Upstairs. But there's a catch. God also likes rules, so if you're going to sacrifice, make sure you're doing it right. Or else.