Hannah, a Godly Mother
1 Samuel 1:1-2:1a
[1:1] Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. [2] And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. [3] This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there. [4] And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. [5] But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the LORD had closed her womb. [6] And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb. [7] So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat. [8] Then Elkanah her husband said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" [9]So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the LORD. [10] And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. [11] Then she made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head." [12] And it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth. [13] Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. [14] So Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!" [15] And Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. [16] "Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now." [17] Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him." [18] And she said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. [19] Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. [20] So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked for him from the LORD. ’ [21] Now the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and his vow. [22] But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the LORD and remain there forever." [23] And Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him. Only let the LORD establish His word." So the woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him. [24] Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh. And the child was young. [25] Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. [26] And she said, "O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD. [27] "For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. [28] "Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD. ’ So they worshiped the LORD there. [2:1] And Hannah prayed … [NKJV]
OPENING REMARKS –
.. Today is Mother’s Day – This morning we celebrate this day set aside to honor our Mothers. Sometimes this day can be a bitter/sweet day for some mothers have lost a child and some children have lost their mother. I truly hope all of you will honor your mother today with a card and a hug, or a call if she lives out of town or perhaps just a smile of memory if she has passed on in death.
Day Establishment –
.. This day was originally observed by Anna M. Jarvis (1864-1948) in 1908 who gave a carnation (her mother’s favorite flower) to those who attended a memorial service in honor of her mother – soon the idea gained popularity and began to be observed by several cities throughout the nation. Finally, on May 9, 1914 by an act of Congress and a declaration of President Woodrow Wilson the “second” Sunday in May was designated as Mother’s Day.
----- [Unknown – Mother’s Day, Pulpit Help, 1991, SermonIllustrations.com, downloaded 12 May, 2007] -----
Remembering Mother’s Day –
1. Mary, an eight year old, wrote her mom a note for Mother’s Day | It read, Dear Mother, here is the box of candy I bought you for Mother’s Day. It is very good candy – I know I have already had 3 pieces.
2. Carol, an eight year old, wrote her mom a note for Mother’s Day | It read, Dear Mother, here are two (2) aspirins, have a happy Mother’s Day.
3. Johnny (6) and Suzy (4) gave to their mom for a present a small spindly house plant. While the plant wasn’t the best looking specimen, they had bought it with their own money and Mom was thrilled. She hugged and kissed her children and told them she loved them for thinking of her.
Then Johnny spoke up and said, There were some other flowers we wanted to buy for you, mom, but we didn’t have enough money.
Suzy, quickly said, Yeah they had a real nice bunch of flowers at the store that we went at to buy your present.
But I love this plant, said the happy mother.
I know, Mom, said Johnny, but these flowers would have been perfect for you. They were in a circle and had a pretty ribbon across it that said, Rest in Peace. You know it would be perfect because you are always asking us for just a little peace so that you can rest.
----- [Kevin Litchfield – Mother (1 Samuel 1:9-1:20 sermon), SermonCentral.com, downloaded 07 May 2008] -----
Memories –
.. Some of our greatest memories from growing up as children often reflect back upon our mothers. True that there are some moms that have been tough to deal with – but all-in-all most of us look back and our moms are usually honored in our eyes.
. An important memory about my mother | father is that they taught me that the Bible was the word of God. They were not fanatics – instead they lived their lives respecting the teachings of the Bible – setting forth an example for me. To this day, I have the highest regard for the Scriptures.
Honor –
.. The Scriptures honor many mothers of both the OT and NT –
Eve – Mother of all Living
Sarah – Hoping against Hope
Rahab – A Harlot Redeemed
Ruth – Loyal and Lovely
Mary – Blessed Among Women
Elizabeth – Faithful and True.
Lois and Eunice – Grandmother and Mother of a Preacher
Hannah – A Mother of Grace
----- [John MacArthur, Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible and What He Wants to Do with You, Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005, Contents Page (adapted)] -----
TEXT
I. Textual Background of Hannah – 1:1-8
.. Textual background here is important to know because it sets the circumstances concerning Hannah. By looking at the context of this passage we immediately see that Hannah was married to Elkanah, yet she was without child. Hannah was a mother who didn’t just get married and start having kids. The Lord had closed her womb, and she had a rival in another wife of her husband.* Wives without children in that culture, were considered not to have found favor with God. A barren womb was considered a curse and Hannah would have been looked down upon because of it. Because of this she was severely ridiculed by Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife, who had borne him both sons and daughters.
* ----- [Brian La Croix – Hannah Prayed (1 Samuel 1:1-20), SermonCentral.com, downloaded 07 May 2008] -----
. Hannah was saddened by this fact, she was discouraged, and she was emotionally drained. Many in Hannah’s situation, or something similar to it, would consider that they have been defeated and just give up. Saying I have done all I know to do. I will just accept my fate and do the best I can.
.. But, Hannah did not give into this (so-called) fate, No! – Instead she rejected such nonsense and turned to the Lord God for her help – Psalm 124:8 | Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made the heaven and the earth.
.. Because of her turning to God for her help – Hannah becomes an excellent example for all of us to imitate.
. So Mothers, as well as all others, if you are facing problems too great for you to over come?
. Don’t try to solve them on your own, but instead become like Hannah – turn to the Lord and lay all of your petitions and supplications before His throne.
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
II. Textual Characteristics of Hannah – 1:9-2:1a
Hannah had a problem. Realizing that she could not solve it herself she turns to the One who could. Hannah did this when she recognized that God was her only solution. Thus Hannah saw:
1. The Need to Believe in God
2. The Need in Sacrificing to God
3. The Need of Trusting God
III. OUTLINE
A. The Need to Believe in God – v. 9-11
1. By Seeking God
a. Hannah arose … [went to] the tabernacle of the Lord -
Psalm 122:1
I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
.. Hannah was grieved in her heart. Every year Elkanah would go up to Shiloh to worship the Lord – here is where we see Hannah turning to God.
b. O Lord of hosts –
.. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
Hebrew: Yahweh-Sabaoth (also can be translated as Lord Almighty). The name of God in this form represents God’s power over the nations and was closely tied to Shiloh, to the ark of the Covenant and to prophecy. The title designates God as King and Ruler of Israel, its armies, its temple, and the entire universe.
----- [Editors: Chad Brand, C. Draper, and A. England, Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003, p. 1172] -----
1 Samuel 1:3
This man [Elkanah] went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.
1 Samuel 17:45
Then David said to the Philistine [Goliath], You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled.
Jeremiah 11:20a
But, O Lord of hosts, You who judge righteously, testing the mind and the heart …
.. The Illustrated Everyday Bible Companion
A title of God that emphasizes His sovereignty.
Isaiah 1:9
Unless the Lord of hosts had left to us [Judah and Jerusalem – v. 1] a very small remnant, we would have become like Sodom and Gomorrah.
Isaiah 10:20-23
… it shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, will never again depend on him who defeated them, but will depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God. For though your people, O Israel, be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them will return; the destruction decreed shall overflow with righteousness. For the Lord of hosts will make a determined end in the midst of all the land.
----- [Editors: George Knight and R. Ray, Singapore: Barbour Publishers, 2005, p. 163] -----
.. Hannah turned to the only one who could resolve her situation.
. Twice in this chapter (vv. 5 and 6) it is recorded that the Lord had closed her womb. The reason she had no children is because God, chose not to give her that heritage (cf. Psalm 127:3 | Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward).
. Therefore Hannah knew that her Creator, her Providential Savior, and her Sovereign King had determined her way (cf. Proverbs 16:9 | A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps) and thus she submitted herself to His Providential will (cf. Romans 9:20-21 | … indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, Why have you made me like this? Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor.
NOTE: Mothers: the God that you serve today – how do you view Him?
Is He the God of Scripture or is He the God of your imagination?
Your answer determines your belief in God!
2. By Praying to God – vv. 10-18
.. Hannah here demonstrates that she believed in prayer.
. She understood what it meant to always be in an attitude of prayer – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 | Pray without ceasing.
. She understood that prayer was effectual part of the armor of God – Ephesians 6:18 | praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
. She understood that the prayer of a righteous man avails much with God – James 5:16b-18 | The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced fruit.
NOTE: Hannah determined what she wanted to ask God about and then she petitioned Him. Not demanding, but willing to accept and submit to His divine will.
Matthew 7:7-11
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will be give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things in those who asks Him!
B. The Need in Sacrificing to God – vv. 19-24a
.. She was willing to give up the most desired and precious one in her life – her son.
. Hannah did not have a child. But she decided if God would grant her petitions she was willing to completely turn the child over to God.
. How many of our mothers today are willing to go that far in their petitions to God. We learn here that God will in His divine providence grant what we desire. When He does so – are you willing to give back to Him for His glory?
. Hannah was.
She loved Samuel greatly – the type of love that only a mother can have for her children – yet she was willing to sacrifice Samuel to God for His glory, His service, and His honor. Hannah did not fully understand how God would use Samuel, but she was willing to make that sacrifice to her Lord.
.. A sacrifice that God would truly understand – the giving of His Son.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world [Gk: kosmos] that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:6-8
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
NOTE: Hannah recognized the need in her life to sacrifice to God.
a. As a mother/parent would you be willing to give up your child?
b. Now God does not ask you to literally sacrifice your child \ your marriage \ your job \ or even your life, however, what if you were required to sacrifice your most prized possession of ______ (you fill in the blank) – would you | could you?
Matthew 10:37-39
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
C. The Need of Trusting God – vv. 24b-2:1a
NOTE: God demands that we trust Him in all things.
a. Salvation –
Comes about when we trust the Gospel of Christ – Ephesians 1:13 | In Him [Jesus Christ] you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation …
b. Daily Life –
We are to walk by faith – cf. Galatians 3:11b | The just shall live by faith.
. Just as we are saved by trusting in Christ so too, is our Christian walk to be done in faith.
. We are to trust God with every situation and endeavor in our lives (cf. Romans 8:28 and Acts 17:26).
. Hannah was willing to trust God with her problems.
. Hannah was willing to trust God with her prayers.
. Hannah was willing to trust God with her son.
NOTE: Hannah understood who it was that she was depending upon. She had trusted The Lord of Hosts (the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob {Israel}), to redeem her, she trusted her Lord to hear her petitions, and she trusted in Him to take care of her most precious possession – her child.
.. What are you willing to trust God with today?
. Is it your problems?
. Is it with your prayers?
. Is it with your child?
CONCLUSION
. A godly mother will have a profound influence on her children.
. What type of influence are you having on your child?
. It is never too late to begin praying for or living godly before your children.
Jonathan Edwards
Resolve to live as with all your might while you do live, and as you shall wish you had done ten thousand years hence.
---- [SermonCentral.com, “Illustrations” – downloaded 12 May 2007] -----
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
. True - when Solomon wrote this, still true today.
INVITATION
.. To all those who have not come to Christ for salvation – I encourage you to start there today.
. Mom – become an example this Mother’s Day for your children to imitate by trusting in Christ.
. Children – what better Mother’s Day gift than for her to know that you have chosen to follow Christ.
. All others – what a good day of memorial than today to recall that you have placed your hope in Christ.
.. To all those who know Christ as their savior.
. I encourage you to live your life as a testimony before your family that they may want to emulate you in the faith of God’s only hope of salvation – Jesus Christ, His Son.
.. So then what hinders you today?
Come Worship The Lord
.. Our Invitation is open to all –
. Come to Christ
. Come if you need to pray
. Come be a part of us
. Come share with us what the Lord would have you to do
Bruce Allen
Underwood Baptist Church
bea0210@hotmail.com
www.pilgrimskeyboard.blogspot.com
May 11, 2008
