Lessons From Hannah

 Hannah's Story is found in 1Samuel 1:1-2:11; 2:18-21

Her name means, “Graciousness” or “favor”. (Hasn't it been neat to see how the women’s names so often fit their character and the situation?) And Hannah will also reveal a new name for God! She is the first to use this name for God, but certainly not the last, in fact God, Himself uses it to refer to Himself twenty-two times in the book of Malachi alone. 

Hannah’s story is not new to us, we’ve seen others in her situation. The difference in Hannah lies in how she chose to handle and deal with the trials she faced. Hannah was a woman who turned to God, who trusted God, and one who could give back to God her most precious gift she’d been given from God. How could she do it? It’s a question that haunts not only mothers but most others even today. Let’s see if we can find Hannah’s answer. 

The story opens with a major problem found in 1 Samuel 1:2, "He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none."

We already know how God felt about taking more than one wife “the two shall become one flesh’. How can that be when there are three? But it was still common practice back then, especially among the wealthy. After all a man had to have sons and if his first wife couldn’t produce them, than a second wife would. 

"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.  But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb.  Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 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.  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?” - (1 Samuel 1:4-8)

Most likely Hannah was Elkanah’s first wife and Peninnah was taken after Hannah was proven to be barren. Hannah was the one Elkanah loved,(v.5) but Peninnah had all the children(v.4). Which brought about envy, jealousy, strife, etc. among the women. Where have we read about this before?

 Have you ever been in a situation like Hannah? The longings, all the “if only's”, wanting something so badly, yet being helpless to bring it about. Desiring something so much that it robs you of any and all joy?

Have you ever had someone like Peninnah in your life before (1 Samuel 1:6)? Someone who might have something over you and just loves to rub your nose in it? What do you think motivated Peninnah to do that?

And how should we handle that type of situation?

 Notice in verse 7 how long this had been going on. Is Elkanah any help (v.8)? What impact did the reaction of those around you have on your situation?

 Look where Hannah turned when no one seems to understand Hannah’s grief,

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.  In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.  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.” - (1 Samuel 1:9-11 emphasis mine)

Jehovah-Sabaoth-

 When there seemed to be no other recourse, when all hope was lost, the children of Israel came to know God as Jehovah-Sabaoth; the LORD of Host. David was another famous person who called Jehovah-Sabaoth when facing Goliath in 1 Sam 17:45-47, 

            Did you catch Hannah's bargain with God in her prayer?

She promises never to cut his hair. (Look to Numbers 6:1-5 for more details on that.) Samuel will be the last of the judges to rule the nation of Israel. Most Nazarites were dedicated to the LORD for just short periods of their lives. Samuel, like Samson was dedicated for his entire life time.

 When Hannah finishes praying it is obvious that she is at peace. She is full of faith; trusting God will answer her prayer, so much so that she can rise and go about her day. And Jehovah-Sabaoth did answer her prayer! 

In chapter two we see Hannah rejoicing as she keeps her promise as well. Let’s look these verses over carefully and find some truths about our God that Hannah brings to light.

Did you find Hannah’s secret? How was she able to keep her promise to God, and give her son back to God? I think the answer may be found in 1 Samuel 1: 25-28, "When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli,  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.  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 will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there."

BUT, nobody can ever out give God! Look in verses 2:20-21,

Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.” Then they would go home.  And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.

I love Hannah's story. It is so important for so many reason, but here are just a few takeaways I found right away and I hope you'll share yours.

1. We need to take our burdens to the Lord, for there is where we will find 

• Our peace, for He is the Prince of Peace and He promises a peace that will beyond even our own understanding (Philippians 4:6-7)
• Grace – As we leave our burdens with the Lord, His grace becomes evident. Notice that nothing had changed in Hannah's life except her countenance once she went to the Lord. He promises His grace will be sufficient even in the darkest circumstances. (2 Corinthians 12)
• Joy – He restores our joy even when the circumstances around us don't change, our perspective does! I believe Hannah could have written this in Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” 

2. It is important to keep our vows made before God, made to God.  If you make a promise in the midst of your requests – keep it!  Our Lord has never gone back on His promises and neither should we.

I hope you'll share your thoughts on our study of Hannah as well!

Blessings 

sue