BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF PERSONAL SACRIFICE “Let him deny himself and follow me” (Matt. 16:24-27) “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1) “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20) “Let him deny himself and follow me” (Matt. 16:24-27) “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1) “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20)

HANNAH “There was a certain man of Ramah, a Zuphite of the hill country, whose name was Elkanah” 1 Samuel 1:1 “There was a certain man of Ramah, a Zuphite of the hill country, whose name was Elkanah” 1 Samuel 1:1

HANNAH Ramah (N.T. Arimathea), an unpretentious town on the slopes of Mount Ephraim Ramah (N.T. Arimathea), an unpretentious town on the slopes of Mount Ephraim Elkanah = “God is possessing” Elkanah = “God is possessing” Hannah = “grace or favor” Hannah = “grace or favor” Peninnah= “coral, pearl” (Margaret, modern equivalent) Peninnah= “coral, pearl” (Margaret, modern equivalent) Ramah (N.T. Arimathea), an unpretentious town on the slopes of Mount Ephraim Ramah (N.T. Arimathea), an unpretentious town on the slopes of Mount Ephraim Elkanah = “God is possessing” Elkanah = “God is possessing” Hannah = “grace or favor” Hannah = “grace or favor” Peninnah= “coral, pearl” (Margaret, modern equivalent) Peninnah= “coral, pearl” (Margaret, modern equivalent)

“SACRIFICE TO THE LORD OF HOSTS AT SHILOH” Shiloh: the central sanctuary for Israel at that time, 20 miles north of Jerusalem. Shiloh: the central sanctuary for Israel at that time, 20 miles north of Jerusalem. “Lord of hosts”, first of 260 references in the Old Testament to this title, indicating God’s infinite power. “Lord of hosts”, first of 260 references in the Old Testament to this title, indicating God’s infinite power. (1 Sam. 1:3) Shiloh: the central sanctuary for Israel at that time, 20 miles north of Jerusalem. Shiloh: the central sanctuary for Israel at that time, 20 miles north of Jerusalem. “Lord of hosts”, first of 260 references in the Old Testament to this title, indicating God’s infinite power. “Lord of hosts”, first of 260 references in the Old Testament to this title, indicating God’s infinite power. (1 Sam. 1:3)

) PEACE OFFERING (Lev. 7:11-18) Peninnah, and each of her sons and daughters, received portions of the peace offering, the only sacrifice which could be consumed in part by the worshipper (1 Sam. 1:4) Hannah received “only one portion” (RSV), or “worthy or double portions” (KJV) – much less than the portions for Peninnah (1 Sam.1:5)

PENNINAH and HANNAH Penninah provokes Hannah sorely, especially at the time of annual sacrifice (1 Sam. 1:5) “Rejoicing at another’s misfortune is one of the most detestable forms of malice” Elkanah seems insensitive, saying that, as a husband, he is worth more to Hannah than ten sons (1 Sam. 1:8) Penninah provokes Hannah sorely, especially at the time of annual sacrifice (1 Sam. 1:5) “Rejoicing at another’s misfortune is one of the most detestable forms of malice” Elkanah seems insensitive, saying that, as a husband, he is worth more to Hannah than ten sons (1 Sam. 1:8)

HANNAH IN PRAYER Separates herself in prayer (vv. 9-12) “deeply distressed”, “weeping bitterly”, and “praying [continuing to pray] to the Lord” (v.10) Separates herself in prayer (vv. 9-12) “deeply distressed”, “weeping bitterly”, and “praying [continuing to pray] to the Lord” (v.10)

HANNAH IN PRAYER Three times humbly presents herself as a “maidservant” (v. 11) Vows life-long service (beyond 50 years of age) as a Nazarite for her son Three times humbly presents herself as a “maidservant” (v. 11) Vows life-long service (beyond 50 years of age) as a Nazarite for her son

CONTRASTS IN WORSHIP HANNAH “speaking in her heart, with only her lips moving” (1 Sam.1:13) Hannah to Eli: “Let your maidservant find favor [hannah] in your eyes” (1 Sam. 1:18) Having prayed, “her countenance was no longer sad” (v. 18) HANNAH “speaking in her heart, with only her lips moving” (1 Sam.1:13) Hannah to Eli: “Let your maidservant find favor [hannah] in your eyes” (1 Sam. 1:18) Having prayed, “her countenance was no longer sad” (v. 18) The dire spiritual state of the nation and priesthood contrasts sharply with Hannah’s attitude. But Eli’s initial stern response was quickly softened. “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have made to him” (1 Sam.1:16-17) The dire spiritual state of the nation and priesthood contrasts sharply with Hannah’s attitude. But Eli’s initial stern response was quickly softened. “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have made to him” (1 Sam.1:16-17)

SAMUEL Probably means “name of God” “Because I asked him of the Lord” (verse 20) Hebrew “sa’al” = ask, petition (vv.27-28) Probably means “name of God” “Because I asked him of the Lord” (verse 20) Hebrew “sa’al” = ask, petition (vv.27-28)

HANNAH’S COMMITMENT “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of the Lord, and abide there forever.” (1 Sam.1:22) “And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her…..to the house of the Lord; and the child was young.” (1 Sam 1:24) “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of the Lord, and abide there forever.” (1 Sam.1:22) “And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her…..to the house of the Lord; and the child was young.” (1 Sam 1:24)

HANNAH’S FAITH Hannah convinced that the Lord would care for him. Public testimony to the power of prayer: “…For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me my petition…” (1 Sam. 1:26-27) Hannah convinced that the Lord would care for him. Public testimony to the power of prayer: “…For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me my petition…” (1 Sam. 1:26-27)

HANNAH’S SACRIFICE Her gift of Samuel was a continuing sacrifice Her gift of Samuel was a continuing sacrifice “Therefore I have lent [petitioned, asked] him to the Lord;, he is lent to the Lord” (1 Sam. 1:28) “Therefore I have lent [petitioned, asked] him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord” (1 Sam. 1:28) “And they worshipped together” “And they worshipped together”

PATTERN OF MARY’S PRAYER Hannah does not pray only when in need. Mary’s great compliment to Hannah “My heart exults [rejoices] in the Lord; my strength [horn] is exalted in the Lord” (2:1) Messianic overtones – “The barren has borne seven” (1 Sam. 2:5); but Hannah is recorded as having six children (1 Sam. 2:21), with the seventh her Messianic offspring. Hannah does not pray only when in need. Mary’s great compliment to Hannah “My heart exults [rejoices] in the Lord; my strength [horn] is exalted in the Lord” (2:1) Messianic overtones – “The barren has borne seven” (1 Sam. 2:5); but Hannah is recorded as having six children (1 Sam. 2:21), with the seventh her Messianic offspring.

QUALITY OF HANNAH’S PRAYER No trace of bitterness in sacrifice, (1 Sam. 2:2) No room for pride or arrogance in her answered prayer (1 Sam. 2:3) The Lord loves humility (1 Sam. 2:7-8) She understood God’s true purpose (2:10): “He will…exalt the power of His Anointed [Messiah]” – the first occurrence of this title in Scripture No trace of bitterness in sacrifice, (1 Sam. 2:2) No room for pride or arrogance in her answered prayer (1 Sam. 2:3) The Lord loves humility (1 Sam. 2:7-8) She understood God’s true purpose (2:10): “He will…exalt the power of His Anointed [Messiah]” – the first occurrence of this title in Scripture

Summary – Hannah’s Sacrifice In her distress, she had no criticism of the Lord. Recourse to prayer, not bitterness. Suffered without retaliation. Sacrifice involves giving back to God one’s dearest wish. In her distress, she had no criticism of the Lord. Recourse to prayer, not bitterness. Suffered without retaliation. Sacrifice involves giving back to God one’s dearest wish.

Summary – Hannah’s Sacrifice Prays for spiritual, not material, benefits. Prays in good, as well as in bad, times. No doubts or hesitations. Irrevocable, continuing, and life-long sacrifice. Far-reaching spiritual benefits of her sacrifice. Prays for spiritual, not material, benefits. Prays in good, as well as in bad, times. No doubts or hesitations. Irrevocable, continuing, and life-long sacrifice. Far-reaching spiritual benefits of her sacrifice.