Do a little reflecting as you begin this blog. Think about people who are heroes in your life. What set them apart? What made them a hero in your eyes.
I recently asked some people to identify their heroes. It is not surprising to hear people identify family members as their hero. The first person I asked said that her mother was her hero because she pushed through everything.
Heroes come in unexpected places and arise from unexpected crisis. Today we look at one such mom who changed the world by her life.
Let’s review the life of Hannah.
A Difficult Family Situation (1 Samuel 1:1-8)
There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite[a] from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. 3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. 6 Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”
One husband: Elkanah. He is the son of Jeroham and grandson of Elihu. He is from the tribe of Ephraim.
Elkanah had a blind spot that will cause him problems. He has two wives. It is important to understand that while several men in the Bible practiced polygamy, it was never commanded by God. And, it always created problems.
As with Sarah and Rachel before her, one of Elkanah’s wives was unable to conceive children. In Biblical days this was especially difficult. It was assumed that the woman had done something to offend God which resulted in her being punished by her barrenness.
She endured social isolation as a result of her barren state. Her condition was considered a disgrace in Israel. Under the civil law of his day,
To exacerbate the problem, Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah was markedly able to bear children.
Peninnah’s was brutally cruel to Hannah. Perhaps because she was jealous of Hannah’s close relationship with Elkanah, she poured salt in Hannah’s wounds at every opportunity. She taunted Hannah. The combination of her barrenness and the assaults of her foe caused Hannah to greatly grieve.
The situation was especially desperate for Hannah. If she has no heir to take care of her in her advanced years she could find herself at the mercy Peninnah.
A Desperate Prayer (1 Samuel 1:9-11)
9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. 10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
The family made an annual pilgrimage to Shiloh for worship. This was the center of religious life in Israel before Jerusalem became the location of the temple. Eli was the high priest. He was assisted by his reprobate sons Hophni and Phinehas. In years to come they would bring discredit to the priesthood.
We get great insights into the early worship practices in Israel. People gathered for worship under the priest’s leadership. They came to worship the “Lord Almighty.”
Hannah entered the Lord’s presence with grief. Her pain overwhelmed her and she poured out her heart to God. She expressed.
On this occasion Hannah’s grief over her barrenness overwhelmed her. She did what everyone should do but few complete. She poured out that pain to God.
Hannah asked God to intervene in her pain and give her a child. She mad a vow that voluntarily placed her baby (Samuel) into God’s hands.
She, further, promised that she would raise him under the vow of a Nazirite. Like Samson, Samuel would be under these vows for life. It was possible to bear this vow for a short period of time.
We make a grave mistake if we promise God something when the pressure is on and fail to keep that promises. Many church alters have been wet with tears when someone has a grave diagnosis only to find an empty pew upon their deliverance.
A Confused Servant (1 Samuel 1:12-16)
12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” 15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
In this classic passage, Eli watches Hannah for some time. He incorrectly believes that she has come to the tabernacle drunk. He chastises her, telling her to put her wine away.
Hannah defends herself. She reveals her pain to the aged priest. She follows the command given by Paul so many years later. She is not drunk with wine, but is filled with the Holy Spirit.
Responses (1 Samuel 1:17-20)
17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” 18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”
The first response was that of Eli. He quickly recognized the error of his previous assessment. He pronounces a blessing over Hannah. He promises that she will have everything she has requested.
Hannah’s response was simple, but showed a profound faith. She puts aside her grief and eats some dinner. She trusted God and went about her business. What a rich expression of faith. Simply trust and step forward.
When the next morning came Hannah was able to join her family in worship. She trusted God and expressed praise for the blessings she believed for.
The answer comes quickly. When she goes home it is not long until she is, indeed pregnant. She bears a son, Samuel. His name means “heard of God.” She has, indeed been heard.
A Blessing
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- A Simple but Deep Faith
- Worship
- The Answer
The fulfillment (1 Samuel 1:24-28)
24 After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull,[e] an ephah[f] of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. 25 When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli, 26 and she said to him, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. 27 I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.
A Powerful Voice (1 Samuel 3:19-20)
19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.
Life Lessons from Hannah
- A Lesson about Prayer: God is LISTENING
- A Lesson about God: He CARES for those who are oppressed.
- A Lesson about God’s Work: He will work in ways we don’t expect to bring mighty results.
