January 3 - Hannah's Prayer

January 3 - Hannah's Prayer

1 Samuel 2:1-10

And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.” (1 Samuel 1:1, ESV)

A man named Elkanah had two wives – Hannah and Peninnah.  Peninnah had children, but Hannah didn’t. The thing was, Elkanah loved Hannah with or without children, but you know how people can be. Peninnah constantly harassed her due to her lack of children.  It’s difficult enough to live through that type of ridicule now, but in days when lineage was of utmost importance and children carried that lineage, it was impossible to hold up under that provocation.

Year after year, the family went to Shiloh to offer sacrifices (this was before the temple was in Jerusalem), and Hannah prayed to receive a son.  One year, she prayed so fervently that the priest on duty, Eli, thought she was drunk and spoke to her.  She told him that she was praying because she was so deeply troubled, he blessed her and sent her on her way.  When Elkanah and Hannah got home, she conceived and bore a son, Samuel.

One thing she had done while praying was promise to raise the son God gave her as a Nazirite and to return him to Eli so he could be in service to the Lord.  She kept her promise and took Samuel back to Eli and left him there, then she prayed with great joy, not sorrow, because above all else, God has answered her prayer.

There is no one Holy like the Lord.  There is no Rock like our God.  He will guard the feet of his faithful ones …

Hannah knew the power of the Lord. It was what she counted on as she lived her life. It was to Him she turned when she had no hope and it was to Him she offered praise when her hope was restored.  Though Peninnah was a thorn in Hannah’s side, she took her concerns to the Lord instead of returning the harassment and making things worse in their home.  But, when it came time to praise His name, she spoke loudly enough that her prayer was heard and recorded and we still read it today.

1 Samuel 2:21 tells us that Hannah had three sons and two daughters and that Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.

A prayer and a promise. Hannah’s son would grow into one of the great leaders of Israel, the last judge and the man who anointed David as king.  Her prayer was heard and answered, her promise fulfilled. A nation was touched because of her.