1 Samuel 1: 1-20

1Samuel 1: 1-20

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?” 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.” 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.” 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,[b] saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

Title: Surprise, surprise!

Message: An earnest prayer can move mountains. It touches God’s heart and makes Him grant one’s request. This is what happened to Hannah. Her husband’s exceeding love for her caused her mockery by Penninah, the other wife of Elkanah. Even God closed her womb. However, Hannah prayed earnestly to God and eventually she won His favor. She was given a son whom she dedicated to God.  

Promise to Claim: “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Matthew 21:22). Hannah’s experience proved this. Who are we to doubt?

Command to Obey: Let us pray unceasingly. Let us keep in mind that God’s grace abounds, thus making Him grant our prayers despite all our shortcomings. Let us keep the faith.

Warning to Heed: Biases and favoritism can prevent the favored person from receiving God’s blessings. Elkanah demonstrated exceeding favor to Hannah by giving her more than what she deserved. On the other hand, the other wife, Penninah who had a number of children and must have been given more got otherwise. Thus, Penninah hated Hannah. Further, God closed Hannah’s womb.

Application: As I was reminded that favoritism brings discord, I will always remind myself never to practice it. Although having favorites is something unavoidable, I will see to it that it won’t be manifested by me wherever I am. Further, I will observe Hannah’s manner of praying.