Hannah's Prayer Of Praise

Thesis: The way God delivered Hannah is characteristic of the way God rules his world.

Intro.:

1. Everyone loves to see an underdog win! (cf. two recent children's movies-- "Angels in the Outfield" and "Little Giants"--predictable films where the underdogs win.)

2. Hannah's story (1 Sam. 1) falls into that category!

a. Tonight we want to explore Hannah's prayer in chapter 2.

b. Second prayer Hannah offered--first was one of petition for a son; this is a prayer of praise to God for answering her prayer.

I. READ 1 SAMUEL 2:1-11. < Note 7 contrasts ... >

A. Warriors/wimps (4).

B. Fat/hungry (5a).

C. Fertile/barren (5b).

D. Living/dead (6).

E. Rich/poor (7-8a).

F. Saints/wicked (8b-9a).

G. God/kings of earth (9b-10).

II. SIMILARITY TO MARY'S SONG. < Luke 1:46-55 >

III. A SECOND LOOK AT HANNAH'S PRAYER. < 3 parts >

A. vv. 1-3 Hannah's deliverance.

B. vv. 4-8 Way God delivered Hannah characteristic of the way God rules his world.

C. vv. 9-10 How it will be when God rules completely! (cf. 1 Cor. 15:20-28).

Conclusion: Hannah's deliverance caused her to look beyond herself to how God was working in the world at large. It prompted her to look to God's final victory! (Closing thought: Luke 12:32).