Hannah - When there is nowhere else to turn

Over the next couple of months, we are going to study characters from 1 Samuel. Our focus will be less about the historical aspects of the book and more about the great application that these characters give us from 3000 years ago. The Old Testament can seem distant and intimidating to each of us but it is rich with lessons for us to apply in our lives today. One key thing to remember that the Bible is not just a book “about” God and His people, it is a book “from” God to His people. That’s us.

Hannah (her name means “full of grace”) was the wife of Elkanah and she was very loved by him. However, God closed her womb and she was unable to bear children. As a result, Elkanah took a second wife - Peninnah so that he could have children. Polygamy was never endorsed by God but it was tolerated by society back then.

Elkanah had several children with Peninnah and she cruelly provoked Hannah over this for years. Producing children was vitally important in that culture so that they could help the family do their work to survive. As a result, it was incredibly deflating to Hannah not to be able to bear children.

After years of torment on being barren, Hannah turned fully to God. She went to the Temple to pray and begged God for a son. She made a vow that she would give him to God as a Temple priest meaning that he would be raised in the Temple once he was weaned.

1 Samuel 1:11 And she made a vow and said, “Lord of armies, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your bond-servant and remember me, and not forget Your bond-servant, but will give Your bond-servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life

We sometimes doubt the power of prayer because of our expectations. Our “wish list” isn’t answered in the way that we expect it to be. The reality is that one of the outcomes of prayer is to bend our will to His will – not just to control our wants and wishes.

1 Samuel 1:18 She said, “Let your bond-servant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went on her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

When Hannah left the Temple she was changed - “her face was no longer sad.” She approached the throne of God and did leave the same way as she came. Why did Hannah leave in peace? Her circumstances had not changed at all. She was still barren and she still had mean Peninnah to deal with.

While Hannah’s circumstances had not changed, her heart had. She released her issues to God, who is bigger than our problems/circumstances, and left with a changed heart.

Soon thereafter, Hannah’s circumstances did change. “The Lord remembered her “ – he answered her prayer and blessed her with a son. Hannah gave birth to a little boy named Samuel – his name means “asked of” because she had asked of God. Samuel became a most famous judge and prophet. Everyone in Israel knew him and he led them through a huge transition from judges to kings, ultimately paving the way for our king - Jesus.

God had a purpose for Samuel’s birth and the timing of it. Sometimes we doubt God’s sovereignty – His purposes for the things we go through. Hannah provides a great model for fully turning our ambitions, cares and struggles over to God.

Now it’s time for Hannah to honor her commitment to give up the child once he was weaned - the child they had always wanted. She was willing to give him back to God after waiting so long for him.

1 Samuel 1: 26-28 And she said, “Pardon me, my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the Lord. For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my request which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.”

This is great act of faith on Hannah’s part. It was also an act of worship which involves sacrifice. True worship always has a cost – our time, service, giving etc… Our culture is looking to take. We ask - what do I get out of this? Worship is about giving, not taking.

I encourage you to read 1 Samuel 2:1-10 which is known as “Hannah’s song.” It’s a beautiful and joyful prayer that points to God’s sovereignty and care for His people. Hannah went from bitterness to rejoicing as she learned to turn fully to God. God became her “rock” and gave her the strength to “smile at her enemies.”

There are many places that people look for answers with life’s challenges. Idols and self-reliance abound in our culture and we often attempt to fill our voids with them. Let us take note of the life of Hannah to always remind us of the true source of strength and refuge.

Stay hungry,

Big E

Matt. 5:6