Hannah a Mom to Look Up to 1 Samuel

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Sign of Status Hannah’s Culture Children = Blessing No Children = Curse

Psalm 127:4-5a (NIV©2011) 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them..

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Sister Wives

1 Samuel 1: There was a certain man …. whose name was Elkanah …. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.

1 Samuel 1: 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.

1 Samuel 1: But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And because the LORD had closed her 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.

Hannah’s lot in Life One of two wives. Her Husband was a just and righteous man. Eli was Judge and Priest at the time. Her Family traveled once a year to sacrifice Hannah’s rival wife would taunt her about having no children. Hannah would be reduced to tears.

1 Samuel 1: Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD's temple. 10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.

1 Samuel 1: And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon 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: 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 will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of 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.

Hannah’s Lot in Life Political Leadership was not obeying God. Religious Leadership was not obeying God. She is praying and weeping in deep anguish and the Religious/Political Leader accuses her of being drunk. Hannah was a woman of deep faith.

1 Samuel 1: 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.

Hannah a Woman of Prayer Year after year Hannah prayed for the Lord to answer her. She prayed for that which was unlikely She prayed for a gift she could give to God

Hannah was Obedient She conceived and had a son. She was faithful to her promise to God. She brought her son Samuel to who? Eli. Samuel was growing up serving God. Samuel was growing up with Eli, and his sons Hophni and Phinehas.

1 Samuel 2: But Samuel was ministering before the LORD -a boy wearing a linen ephod. 19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. 20 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.

Hannah an example to follow Because of Hannah’s faithfulness Samuel was there to hear God’s call. Because of Hannah’s faithfulness Samuel was in position to be the next leader in Israel. Hannah could have made excuses! Hannah trusted God.

????????????????? Why did God keep Hannah from having children for so many years?

Rest of the Story 1 Samuel 2:21 New International Version 1984 (NIV1984) 21 And the L ORD was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the L ORD.

We need to realize God is the source of what we need. We need to be faithful in prayer and follow though We need to look forward to what God is going to accomplish through us