Scriptures for Today:
“”1 Samuel 1:9-28 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. 11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head. 12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. 13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. 17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. 19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. 20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.””
Introduction
As we work our way through studying the entire Bible it’s good for us to be reminded of the big picture.
Just as it’s important for us to understand the context of each chapter that we are reading…
We also need to understand the context of the entire Bible.
There is one man that this entire book centers around. As we go through each book it’s important to remember that everything that is taking place is a piece in the puzzle that leads to the redemption of mankind back to God—through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the main subject of this book. Everything revolves around Him.
If you haven’t listened to the sermon from Thursday please go to our website and do that later. So you can understand all the events that are taking place up to this point.
We are back in 1 Samuel. This is a very important transitional book that records Israel’s shift from judges to the monarchy. (Remember what was taking place in the book of Judges) Now things are about to change.
Last time we were here, we studied verses 1 – 8 of chapter 1.
Let’s do a brief review:
• This book starts with a man named Elkanah (A Levite by lineage).
• He had two wives—Hannah and Peninnah. (Which is not good and not God’s design, brings a lot of problems)
• Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none (barren)
• Elkanah went up yearly to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts, where Eli was priest.
• Elkanah gave portions of food from the sacrificial offering to both Peninnah and Hannah. But he gave Hannah a worthy or special portion because of his love for her.
• Peninnah repeatedly provokes Hannah year after year because of her barrenness. Hannah is extremely grieved and sorrowful.
That brings us to the next portion of scriptures: Verses 9 – 19
Verses 9 – 10
“”1 Samuel 1:9-10 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
Hannah was very sad. Her sadness is described as Bitterness of soul.
This is intense inner misery that is accompanied by deep grief and heaviness. It sits down inside of you and won’t let you be at ease. There are examples of people throughout the Bible that experience similar feelings of intense sorrow and grief.
Take Job for example, he lost everything.
Naomi, lost her husband and sons.
“Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.”
There are times in your life when you will have bitterness of soul. You will have extreme emotional anguish. The question is, when that bitterness enters into your life, what are you going to turn to?
People turn to many different things for comfort and relief. The world has no lack of things to offer that will mask the pain in your life. Alcohol, drugs, sexual sin, entertainment, food.
These are things that take your mind off the pain for a few minutes, sometimes only for a few seconds. They don’t fix the problem.
Look where Hannah turned when she was in extreme emotional anguish and sorrow…
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
So Hannah knew exactly where to turn in her time of need. She didn’t turn to the things of this world for comfort. She turned to her Creator and Savior, the Almighty God of Heaven who can do all things.
Verse 11
“”1 Samuel 1:11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head.
Here we see Hannah turns her pain into prayer. And her prayer becomes a vow unto God.
It’s important to understand what a vow is…
A vow is a solemn promise, specifically one by which a person is bound to an act, service, or condition.
When Milana and I got married, we made vows to each other before God to forsake all others, to love and cherish one another, and to never leave each other for the rest of our lives. For better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live. Till death do us part.
We are going to keep those vows no matter what. Breaking them is not an option because we made them before God.
It doesn’t matter if there are misunderstandings, trials, or disappointments. Our marriage is not built on convenience or feelings. It’s built on a covenant that we made with each other with God as our witness.
We live in a world where vows mean absolutely nothing anymore. People break vows left and right. They carry no weight.
Marriage is treated like a contract: “As long as you meet my needs and make me happy, I’ll stay. But if you don’t, then I’m gone.”
So when hardship comes—conflict, stress, money pressure, sickness, infertility, boredom, temptation—people act like the vow that you made before God has an escape clause.
But you need to understand this…marriage is a covenant that God designed. God did not ask the culture to define marriage. God created it, and He set the terms. And since God is the One who joins husband and wife, no man has the right to separate what God has joined.
“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Making a vow is very serious in the eyes of God. It’s not something to take lightly.
Here’s another example, people will say things like “I swear to God, If this happens then I will do…”
That is not a small thing to “swear to God” Do you realize what you’re saying?
“”Numbers 30:2 If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.
“”Leviticus 5:4-6 Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these.
If someone swears carelessly without realizing what they are saying and it later becomes known to them that they have sworn something sinful or binding, then they are guilty.
5 And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing: 6 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin.
Because of someone’s careless swearing, an innocent animal had to die. Imagine if you had to do that every time you swore something and you didn’t keep it. You might be killing a lot of animals. Thank God we don’t have to do that because Jesus is THE sacrifice for sins.
But it shows you the weight that a vow carries. And the same goes for making promises.
Don’t say “I promise I will be there at church” and then you don’t follow through. Don’t make any promises in your life that you are not committed to keeping.
“”James 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Next time you tell someone that you are going to do something, and you are not 100% sure that you will be able to follow through, you say “Lord willing, I will do this or that. And you do your best to do that thing. Do not swear and do not promise unless you know you will do it.
Now going back to 1 Samuel 1:11. I went over that because people need to understand the seriousness of vows in their lives. And here we see that Hannah is making a vow, so you know that this is a serious matter.
“”1 Samuel 1:11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head.
Notice Hannah is not demanding or acting entitled. She calls herself “thine handmaid”.
She’s appealing to God’s mercy. She is lowly, humble, and broken.
She is saying “look on my affliction, and remember me”
Who is someone else in the Bible that said, “Remember me”? The thief on the cross.
Hannah was praying and making a vow in faith.
And notice also what she’s asking for: “give unto thine handmaid a man child.” In that culture, barrenness brought reproach and continual shame—especially with Peninnah provoking her.
So Hannah isn’t just asking for a baby because it would be nice—she’s asking God to remove a heavy affliction that has weighed on her for years.
If there is a heavy burden in your life that has been afflicting you for years, then you need to keep asking and pleading with God in faith. Do not stop. Do not give up.
But notice what she follows with… “then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life.”
In other words,she is not asking for a child merely to possess him—she is asking for a child to consecrate him to God. This is not selfish ambition; it’s worship and its faith. She is asking for a blessing so that she can give that blessing back to Him.
If you’re asking God to remove a burden in your life, make sure you’re asking for the right reasons. Everything should be done to bring glory and honor to Him.
Hannah also adds, “there shall no razor come upon his head.” She is describing a life that will be separated, dedicated, and different.
(You can look up the vow of a Nazarite in the Bible. When a man or a women separated themselves unto God, they had specific instructions on things that they had to do. Letting their hair grow for a specific period of time was one of those things)
Hannah was saying, this child will not be just another boy in Israel. This will be a life set apart for God.
Verses 12 – 16
“”1 Samuel 1:12-14 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. 13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
So as Hannah was praying and making this vow, she was speaking in her heart. She was not trying to make a scene; she was not trying to draw attention to herself. This was a plea between her and God.
And Eli wrongfully accuses her of being drunk…
“”1 Samuel 1:15-16 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
So this is where the irony hits hard. Eli looks at Hannah—this woman pouring out her soul before God, praying silently and he assumes the worst. He immediately jumps to a carnal conclusion:
“She must be drunk.” He rebukes her for a sin she isn’t committing.
Meanwhile, under Eli’s own roof, there is actual wickedness taking place. Later in chapter 2 it will be revealed that the sons of Eli were sons of Belial that knew not the Lord. That means they were sons of the devil.
So think about what is happening:
Eli is quick to correct the wrong person.
Eli is sharp with a godly woman in private anguish,
while his own sons are openly corrupt in the very house of God.
But Hannah responds with respect and humility.
She says, “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit… for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.”
Once Eli sees that it’s not what he thinks it is he changes his tone.
Verses 17 – 19
“”1 Samuel 1:17-19 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
So instead of rebuking, Eli begins to bless. He sends her away with peace and with a word of confidence that God hears. Even though Eli’s discernment was wrong at first, God still uses him to strengthen Hannah’s faith. Look at Hannah’s response…
“”18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight.””
She doesn’t hold a grudge. She doesn’t say, “How dare you accuse me”. She receives the blessing with humility and she moves on. That shows the character that she had. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we all had that same character? It would fix a lot of turmoil and strife in our lives.
“”…So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.””
It’s important to see this. Hannah was still barren, She has not yet conceived, there is no baby in her arms, there is no visible answer yet. But she walks away knowing that God has heard her. That’s what faith looks like.
Faith doesn’t wait for an outcome before you can have peace. Faith rests in the God who promises to hear.
Just like Abraham and Sarah, who God promised to give a son…
“”Romans 4:19-21 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Just like Abraham, Hannah was fully persuaded that God was able to perform what He promised. She had great faith. Her countenance was no more sad…
“”19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah:””
So we see a transition from sorrow and grief—to worship. Even before Hannah’s prayer was answered they worshipped the Lord. That’s exactly what you want to do in your life.
While you are struggling, while you are afflicted and have heavy sorrow, before you get an answer from God, simply worship the Lord in faith and watch what will happen.
Worship Him in the high moments. Worship Him in the lowest moments of your life and simply wait on the Lord. I promise that He will come through.
“”…and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.””
God turned toward her in mercy and He acted.
The same words Hannah used in her prayer “Remember me”—are now answered by the Holy Ghost: “the LORD remembered her.”
“”1 Samuel 1:20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
Recap
Understand everything that we are seeing in this passage:
• Hannah is crushed with grief and turns to God in prayer.
• She makes a vow to God: If God gives her a son, she will give him back to the Lord for his whole life.
• As she prays silently, Eli accuses her of being drunk, but Hannah explains she is sorrowful and pouring out her soul before God.
• Eli blesses her and sends her away in peace, asking God to grant her request.
• Hannah leaves with a changed spirit—she eats and is no longer sad. They worship the Lord.
• The Lord Remembers Hannah; she conceives and bears a son and names him Samuel, which means “God has heard”
Application
1. When bitterness and grief hits, turn to God not sin.
Hannah had real anguish, but she didn’t run to the world’s “relief.” She ran to God.
2. Keep praying when the burden has lasted a long time.
Hannah’s affliction wasn’t a one-day trial. It was years. This teaches endurance: don’t stop pleading in faith just because it’s been a long season.
3. Ask with God’s glory in mind, not just personal comfort.
Hannah’s request wasn’t, “Give me a son so I can prove something.” It was, “Give me a son and I will give him to You.” When you ask God to lift a burden, ask for the right reasons.
4. Be careful what you say you’ll do—words matter to God.
Don’t live loose with your words. Be the kind of Christian whose “yes” means yes. When Hannah vowed, she meant it.
5. Don’t judge spiritual things by outward appearances.
Eli misread Hannah. That warns us: we can be quick to label someone while being blind to bigger issues in our own lives. Slow down. Ask questions. Show charity.
6. God “remembers” at the right time.
When it says the Lord remembered Hannah, it doesn’t mean that He is just suddenly realizing her affliction. God’s delay is not denial, and His timing is not careless. Everything He does, including when He does it has a purpose.
Next time we are in 1 Samuel we will see Hannah’s vow be fulfilled. So as you go from here today, remember all these things and think about how you can apply them to yourself, today. Make changes in your life. And continue to grow in faith. Let’s Pray
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