I Samuel 1-18, II Samuel 11-12, I Kings 6, 17-19; II Kings 1-2, 17, 22-25

One moment that describes God’s relationship with Isreal is when he gifted Hannah a son after she humbly prayed to Yahweh, begging him for one. I believe this describes God’s relationship with Isreal because Yahweh is gifting Hannah with what she is asking for because she is behaving in a way that is respectful and thankful towards Yahweh. Hannah prays, “Yahweh Sabbath! Should you condescend to notice the humiliation of your servant and keep her in mind…I will give him to Yahweh for the whole of his life and no razor shall ever touch his head.” She is praising Yahweh and she and her people are making sacrifices for Him, so as a reward, Yahweh grants her a child, in which she names Samuel. This interaction between Yahweh and Hannah demonstrates that if the Israelites are obedient and respectful towards God, He will provide for them. This situation highlights Yahweh as an anthropomorphic God because he desires the respect of the Israelites, and feels hurt when they do not show Him the respect he deserves. The flattery and happiness God feels, which moves Him to gift Hannah with a baby, emphasizes Yahweh’s human like feelings. As humans, when people treat us with respect we feel happy and want to do nice things for those people. In this exchange, Hannah and the Israelites show respect to God and flatter him through sacrifices, so he is moved to gift Hannah with a baby. This interaction also shows human dependence on Yahweh. Hannah’s life, like ours, could not be complete without the gifts of God and His grace. On the other hand, the story of Yahweh’s anger Eli’s sons and with Judah by provocation by Manasseh describes the other side of God’s relationship with the Israelites. “Now the sons of Eli were scoundrels, they cared nothing for Yahweh.” This disrespectful treatment by Eli’s sons angered Yahweh and Yahweh responded with anger. “Be sure, the days are coming when I shall cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s family, so that no one in your family will live to old age.” Also, when Judah and the Israelites do not follow His will or do not respect his creation, God feels very angry and abandones them in their time of need. In frustration, Yahweh says “I shall thrust Judah away from me too, as I have already thrust Isreal; I shall cast off Jerusalem…” These situations also speak to God as anthropomorphic because God, like all humans feel sad and angry. In this situation, Eli’s sons, and Judah and the Israelites have disobeyed God, so He is hurt. His feelings of sadness and frustration make Him want to inflict pain on those who hurt Him, which is why Yahweh says that he will cut off the family of Eli and deserting Judah and Isreal. Both of these stories also show the flawed nature of humanity, manifesting itself in the actions of Eli’s sons and Judah and Isreal. It is flawed that they would betray God after all He has done for them.