1
Samuel (along with 2 Samuel) documents the years of great transition
for the nation of Israel. From the selection of Israel’s first
king through the rise of King David, this man Samuel remains firm in
presenting and following the righteous will of God. The chapter
begins, “There
was a certain man“.
What a great reminder that God uses ordinary people like you and me
to accomplish His divine purposes. The chapter next describes the
household of this man (named Elkhanah). “He
had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other was Peninnah.
Peninnah had children but Hannah had none.”
Although polygamy is tolerated often in the Bible, it is not God’s
plan for marriage, and as is clearly the case here, it always leads
to conflict in the home. We read that Elkanah and his household took
an annual pilgrimage to Shiloh to the Temple of the Lord to worship
and offer sacrifices to the Lord Almighty. And we know Hannah was
favored because at the fellowship meal, “Hannah
received a double portion, because he loved her“.
We also read of poor Hannah, “Because
the Lord had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order
to irritate her. This went on year after year“.
We can almost feel Hannah’s self-worth fade more with each word.
Part
of the offering was a time of petition to God, offering prayer or
thanks. Eli the priest was observing the situation. We read, “In
bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord… look
upon your servant’s misery and remember me… give her a son, then
I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life“.
She is completely unrestrained before God. “She
kept on praying… praying in her heart and her lips were moving, but
her voice was not heard“.
Eli seeing her actions thought she was drunk! She explained, “I
am a woman that is deeply troubled… I was pouring out my soul to
the Lord… I have been praying here out of my great anguish and
grief“.
Eli is moved, “Go
in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you asked for“.
Hannah is not reciting some canned prayer. Her desperation has
driven her to a new level of openness with God. In Matthew 6:7-8,
Jesus teaches His disciples about prayer. He explains, “And
when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For
they think that they will be heard for their many words… For your
Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him“.
Not only does asking demonstrate our submission to God, but our
faith is increased with every answered prayer. Are you too proud to
pray with passion?
The
chapter concludes with the vow being kept. “So
in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She
named him Samuel”
(Meaning ‘asked of God’). Note that this may have taken some
time; God’s timing is not our timing. Hannah kept her vow, “After
he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was… and
brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh“.
After offering sacrifices, she presented him to Eli the priest, “I
prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of
Him, so now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he was given
to the Lord… And he worshipped the Lord there“.
In truth, all parents are temporary stewards of God’s gift. Our
responsibility is to, “Train
up a child in the way that he should go, and when he are old, he will
not depart from it”
(Proverbs 22:6). Parenting is a process of letting go with a well
guided push, sending our well-armed children ahead to fight life’s
battles. Letting go is much easier when you know they belong to God.