The Need For Godly Mothers

The Need for Godly Mothers (I Samuel 1:1—28)

I. Hannah’s Problem 5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. She Lost

Her Peace v. 6, And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.

Her Purpose (vs. 7), And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

Her Appetite (vs. 7), and did not eat.

Her Prosperity vs. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

2. Hannah’s Pain 6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.

A. Unrelieved by a Gorgeous home (vs. la) The Bible tells us that Elkanah and Hannah lived in Ramathaim— zophim, of mount Ephraim. “Ramah.” “rum” which means “to be high.” built on the top of hills.

B. Unrelieved by a Godly heritage (vs. 1b) Elkanah was a Levite who had his portion among the tribe of Ephraim. Thus when Hannah married Elkanah, she was not only receiving a Godly man, she was receiving a Godly heritage.

C. Unrelieved by Godly help (vs. 2—7) v 5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.

Ironically, the name “Hannah” means “grace.” And if there ever was a woman who needed the grace of God, it was Hannah.

D. Unrelieved by God's House 3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.

E. Unrelieved by a Generous Husband (vs. 8) Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?

3. Hannah’s Prayer v.9 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.

A. It was a prayer of purpose and prayed unto the LORD How long has it been since you talked with the Lord? And told Him your heart’s hidden secrets? How long since you prayed? How long since you stayed On your knees till the light shone through? How long has it been since your mind felt at ease? How long since your heart knew no burden? Can you call him your friend? How long has it been Since you knew that He cared for you?

B. It was a prayer of passion v 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

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.

C. It was a prayer of persistence (vs. 12) And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.

The Bible says, “Ask, seek, and knock.” And all those verbs are in present tense denoting con-tinuous action. Keep on asking. Keep on seeking. Keep on knocking.

D. It was a prayer of promise (vs. 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 razor come upon his head.

In the Old Testament, when a Nazarite vow was taken, the hair was not cut. Turn to Judges 13:5. (Samson)For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

The word “nazar” means ~‘separate” or “consecrated.” If God would answer her prayer, Hannah promised that that boy would be God’s. She would separate him unto God. She would consecrate him unto God.

E. It was a prayer of persuasion (vs. 17—18) 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.