HANNAH’S PRAYER AND VOW SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES LESSON 691: HANNAH’S PRAYER AND VOW

RECAP OF OUR LAST STUDY From our last study, entitled “Boaz Marries Ruth”, we learnt that: Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth and became her husband, Christ has redeemed us to be his own and we are His bride. Ruth was godly, patient and was faithful; her consecration and devotion to God paid off in the end. Our choices should reflect priority on God’s eternal values. We should avoid the temptation of moral short-cuts and living for short-term pleasure. We should live in faithfulness and obedience to God knowing that the significance of our lives will extend beyond our lifetime.

TODAY’S STUDY: LESSON 691: HANNAH’S PRAYER AND VOW MEMORY VERSE: “And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore” (1 Samuel 1:10). TEXT: 1 Samuel 1:1-18. The study of today touches on three points: Departure from God’s perfect will and its consequences. Desperate prayer and vow unto God. Godly character in times of provocation.

SUMMARY Departure from God’s perfect will and its consequences (1 Sam. 1:1-8; Jud. 8:30,31; 9:1-5): Lifelong monogamy is God’s original and perfect plan in marriage. Envy and jealousy, strife, bitterness, lack of joy, loss of lives and divine displeasure are some terrible consequences of deviating from God’s perfect will in marriage. Desperate prayer and vow unto God (1 Sam. 1:9-13; 2 Chron. 33:12,13): Hannah did not give in to self-pity, discouragement; she sought God in prayer. Her prayer was sincere, simple, specific, selfless, scriptural with steadfastness. Hannah’s vow was motivated by contributing towards the fulfilment of God’s purpose in Israel and not for competition with Peninnah or her ego. Godly character in times of provocation (1 Sam. 1:6,12-18): In the face of provocation and harsh judgement, Hannah prayed and displayed self control. We should take correction and not repeat mistakes when our faults are revealed.

DISCUSSION

QUESTION 1 Point out the consequences of polygamy? 1 Samuel 1:6,7,10 Genesis 29:23,28,30,31; 30:1 Judges 8:30,31; 9:5 1 Kings 11:1-3,9

QUESTION 2 What virtues can couples learn from the family life of Elkannah? 1 Samuel 1:3 1 Samuel 1:8

QUESTION 3 What steps should believers take when they are confronted with life’s challenges? 2 Chronicles 33:12,13 Psalm 146:3

QUESTION 4 What is the place of vows in New Testament dispensation? Mark 7:9-13 1 Corinthians 9:16

QUESTION 5 What can believers learn from the wrong rebuke of Hannah by Eli? Proverbs 18:13 Ecclesiastes 5:2

QUESTION 6 How should believers respond to provocations, underserved criticisms and misunderstandings? Proverbs 18:21 Colossians 4:6 James 1:19

CONCLUSION Envy and jealousy, strife, bitterness, lack of joy, loss of lives and divine displeasure are some terrible consequences of deviating from God’s perfect will in marriage. In the face of challenges, we should unite in faith and pray for divine intervention. Prayer changes things; the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much. Vows are voluntary but once made must be fulfilled; we must therefore pray and depend on God for grace to fulfil our vows. We must be careful not pass wrong and hasty judgement; if this happens we should take correction and not repeat such mistakes. We should be calm, humble and offer necessary explanation when wrongly rebuked or misunderstood.