… Because I asked God for him …
Part
One – The Gift of God
1 Now there was a certain
man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of
Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: 2 And he had two wives; the name
of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had
children, but Hannah had no children. 3 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. 4 And when the time was that
Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters,
portions: 5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy
portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. 6 And her adversary also provoked
her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. 7 And as he did so year by
year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore
she wept, and did not eat. 8 Then said Elkanah her husband to
her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart
grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons? (1
Sam 1:1-8)
Every child conceived in the womb is a gift directly from God. At the moment of
conception, all human characteristics and natures are sealed by the immediate
properties of the DNA established by God. (Ruth 4:13) So to terminate a life, once
conceived, is egregious and is the most reprehensible form of murder of
innocents. There are women such as Sarah and, as we see here, Hannah, who long
for that special gift of God that will grant them motherhood. Mothers in those
days were not disposed to murder their babies, but rather prayed that God would
grant them the conception of a precious child. This is precisely the kind of
woman Hannah defined. She was married to Elkanah who had two wives – Peninnah
and Hannah. Polygamy was never approved of God, but was allowed in the time of
Moses because of the ‘hardness of men’s hearts.’ In actuality, the fact that
Elkanah (meaning acquired by God) had two wives gives import to the view that
having children was the most important consideration for a woman. Hannah (meaning
GRACIOUS) seemed to
be the first wife who was unable to bear children; so, Elkanah took a second
wife, Peninnah (Pearl – beautiful but HARD). We learn in this account that
beauty has far less value than grace.
In verse 3, we read that Elkanah went up annually to Shiloh to sacrifice to the
Lord of Host (Heb. Jehovah-Sabaoth – meaning Lord of
all hosts in Heaven and on Earth).
Our text opens with the sorrowful life of Hannah – a good and Godly woman whose
only desire is to bear a child. Her antagonist, Peninnah, had sons and
daughters while Hannah remained barren. It seems that Elkanah loved Hannah more
than Peninnah, and gave her an extra measure of treasure when they went up to
Shiloh. “But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah.”
(Verse 5)
When one feels oppressed and deprived of joy, there is one source of power upon
which to carry our burdens for remediation – the altar of the Lord. This is
exactly what Hannah did! Hannah made a covenant with the Lord at Shiloh: 9 So Hannah rose up after
they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon
a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. 10 And she was in bitterness of
soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. 11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O
LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid,
and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine
handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his
life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. (1 Sam 1:9-11) This is a promise of greater
solemnity and faith than first impression may provide. Thou shalt not delay
to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of
thy sons shalt thou give unto me. (Ex 22:29) This is the perfection of the
Law of Tithe! As Hannah has been praying, Eli is observing the extraordinary
manner in which she is praying. It was uncommonly solemn and SILENT – only her
lips moved.
12 And
it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her
mouth. 13 Now Hannah, she spake in her
heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought
she had been drunken. 14 And Eli said unto her, How long
wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. (1 Sam
1:12-14) Those who
lack the spiritual depth of others may question their faith. The world does so
always because they cannot know the depth of the spiritual meaning in life,
prayers, or worship of the devoted unto the Lord. Eli was a priest and he
lacked the depth of Hannah’s understanding of prayer. But ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9) Eli was accustomed to extreme
outbursts in prayer, and perhaps many other pretentions to piety, but never had
he observed someone pray silently. Perhaps God has poor hearing to understand a
whispered prayer? No way. Even prayers that are murmured mentally are just as
clear to God as those that are screamed – in fact, clearer to him and less
offensive.
Hannah explains her grievance and prayers to Eli: 15 And Hannah answered and
said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither
wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 16 Count not thine handmaid for a
daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I
spoken hitherto. 17 Then Eli answered and said, Go
in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of
him. 18 And she said, Let thine handmaid
find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her
countenance was no more sad.
(1 Sam 1:15-18) After expressing her great grief to the One who was able to
grant the most good, Hannah was no more sorrowful. That is the miracle of true
prayer!
Hannah did, indeed, bear a child – a son named Samuel – one of the greatest of
all prophets of Israel (if not the greatest). Hannah was not a shallow
believer. She remembered her covenant with God and dedicated Samuel to the work
of the Lord. She also remembered to thank God, just as she had at first pleaded
with Him, for her child. Hannah kept the baby until he was weened. She
consulted Elkanah about her pledge to the Lord and he, being a good husband,
responded that she should do according to her promise. She returned to Shiloh
with offerings to the Lord and to the altar. 26 And she said, Oh my lord,
as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying
unto the LORD. 27 For this child I prayed; and the
LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 28 Therefore also I have lent him
to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he
worshipped the LORD there.
(1 Sam 1:26-28)
Hannah proclaimed her song at the dedication of the child, Samuel, to the Lord:
1 And
Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted
in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy
salvation. 2 There is none holy as the LORD:
for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so exceeding
proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of
knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty men
are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. 5 They that were full have hired
out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren
hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. 6 The LORD killeth, and maketh
alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh
rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. 8 He raiseth up the poor out of
the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among
princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the
earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them. 9 He will keep the feet of his
saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no
man prevail. 10 The adversaries of the LORD
shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD
shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king,
and exalt the horn of his anointed. (1 Sam 2:1-10) Hannah leaves very little
unspoken regarding the mighty power and love of God. She returned every year
with a coat of linen, made by her own hands, to her boy-child. Hannah had other
sons and daughters as well – in fact, three more sons and two daughters.
She is one of the finest examples of woman and motherhood in all of the Bible.
Young Christian and Jewish ladies of every nation share the name of Hannah for
it is a very good and Holy name. No further mention is made of Peninnah. She
was pretty, but lacked the grace and true beauty of Hannah! Samuel would go on
to anoint the first two kings of Israel, including Saul and David – the morning
star of the royal line of Christ!
