The distraught and discouraged Hannah, grieving her
barrenness; seemingly ignoring her husband’s reminder of his love, gets up and
leaves the fellowship/peace meal. Hannah
stands out in the Old Testament. No
other woman specifically is recorded in the Old Testament going to the House of
God and no other woman is recorded to have made and kept a vow to God.[1]
Hannah pledged to give her son to God in exchange for God’s gift of that son. She calls upon God, the LORD of Hosts. The capitalized LORD in our Bible indicates that the author is referring to Jehovah, the eternal, self-existent God who saves. “Hosts” is the Hebrew word Sabaoth (Those familiar with Martin Luther’s hymn, A Mighty Fortress, will recognize this.) meaning “God of the armies of heaven” or simply translated LORD Almighty. Only Jehovah Sabaoth can give this troubled woman a child.
She prayed, “remember me and not forget your servant, but
will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days
of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”[2] Although not specified this is undoubtedly a
reference to the Nazarite vow (Numbers
6:4f). This vow, often taken for a
specific period of time is offered by Hannah for a lifetime commitment. Samson is specifically called a Nazirite (Judges
13:7) and it is possible that Paul may have participated in something like
the Nazirite vow (Acts
21:23–27).[3]
Eli, the priest mistakenly took Hannah to be drunk as she
lips were moving, but she was praying in her heart. She responded to his rebuke
with humility and Eli answered her, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel
grant your petition that you have made to him.”” (1 Samuel 1:17, ESV). The narrative concludes with the recorded
answer to that promise: “And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son,
and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.””
(1 Samuel 1:20, ESV)
There are several cautionary notes that must be
considered. Although God showed grace to
Hannah and answered her prayer, this in no means permits us to bargain with
God. And certainly, women today cannot
claim by faith that God will give them a child because of their piety. All this
was done in Hannah and God is to be glorified. One of the contemporary lessons for us is
found in verse 18: “Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no
longer sad.”[4] Why the sudden change from “distraught” to “cheerful”?
Matthew Henry correctly affirms: “She had by prayer
committed her case to God and left it with him, and now she was no more
perplexed about it.”[5]
Someone has said that prayer changes things.
In this case prayer changed the petitioner. As Paul would later write: “do
not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in
Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7, ESV).
The loved hymn of Joseph Scriven[6]
comes to mind, particularly the first stanza:
Verse 1
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
O what peace we often forfeit
O what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer [emphasis mine]
There is nothing like humble,
believing prayer to transform the countenance.
True and confident faith can only come from the promises of God. For every need there is a promise. For the “Hannahs” of this world there is a promise:
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No
good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!” (Psalm 84:11–12, ESV)
For all Christians, anywhere and
anytime, we can affirm: “And we know that for those who love God all things
work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
(Romans 8:28, ESV)
And “You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3, ESV)
_________________________________
The first of this series is found HERE!
[1] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S.,
Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study
Bible (1 Sa 1:9). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2] The Holy Bible:
English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 1:11). Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Bibles.
[4] The Holy Bible:
English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 1:18). Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Bibles.
[5] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s
commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume
(p. 382). Peabody: Hendrickson.
[6]
What A Friend We Have In Jesus, Charles
Crozat Converse | Joseph Medlicott Scriven, © Words: Public Domain
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