Hannah?Faithful in Prayer...Continued from page 5

Verse 28 should be translated in terms of Hannah's returning or giving Samuel to God rather than "lending" him. One translation renders it, "So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord" (NIV).

Samuel grows up being part of the Tabernacle life under the direct supervision of Eli. It doesn't seem to be the most wholesome environment in view of the spiritual degradation of Eli's sons. However, God enables Samuel to grow up to be the godly man He intended.

B. Hannah's Praise (2:1-10)

(1 Samuel 2:3-10 is not included in the printed text.)

1. And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

2. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

How should we respond when God answers our prayer? With more than a simple "thanks." Praise and thanksgiving includes looking at the whole environment from which God delivers/provides.

As Hannah offers her praise, it flows from the depth of her heart in the same manner as her previous agony had been poured out. She displays a tremendous sense of joy. She sees the evidence of God's intervention in her situation. The enemy of barrenness and the slights of the other wife now are destroyed. However, before concentrating on them she emphasizes the nature of God himself. Not only does she understand He has been her salvation, but sees His holiness.

Verse 2 demonstrates an understanding of God's true nature. No one compares to Him. He supersedes any human and the concept of any false god. He stands as the immovable rock which readily becomes her fortress and refuge. This concept is seen frequently in the Psalms, including 18:2; 28:1; 62:2.

Because of God's intervention, Hannah now sees herself in terms of strength rather than weakness. Her reference to "mine horn" (v. 1) speaks of strength like an animal tossing its head with a sense of power. It is only through God's work for her that she now can speak instead of silently enduring the words of Peninnah. The miraculous birth of Samuel silences the words of pride and arrogance which surely had stung repeatedly.

The reference to warriors and their bows (v. 4) indicates how Hannah previously felt she was in a battle. The one who had been involved in a losing battle now stands with strength. No longer does she long to bear a child. Her desire is fulfilled.

In the latter portion of verse 5, Hannah speaks of the barren bearing seven children. Verse 21 records her bearing five more children after Samuel. Since these other children were not born at the time of Hannah's song, this can be seen as a prophetic statement of future births. Or, Hannah could have used the number seven in its sense of completion. Now having conceived and birthed a son, she experienced fulfillment as a wife having born a son.

In the final verses of Hannah's song of praise (vv. 6-10), we see the sovereignty of God. He lifts the very poor out of their condition and places them in positions of honor and authority. God can preserve the paths of the saints and destroy those who are the adversaries of Him and His people. No one can prevail against the great God.

Verse 10 contains a brief prophetic statement of the end times. God will "thunder" from heaven in the time of judgment, and "his anointed"—the Messiah—will reign over the earth.

CONCLUSION

In 1 Samuel 2:19-21, we read how Hannah would bring Samuel a coat she had made on her annual pilgrimage to Shiloh. She always found her son faithfully at his duties in the Tabernacle. Hannah's faithfulness to God was reproduced in Samuel.

GOLDEN TEXT CHALLENGE

"FOR THIS CHILD I PRAYED; AND THE LORD HATH GIVEN ME MY PETITION WHICH I ASKED OF HIM" (1 Samuel 1:27).

Hannah poured out her soul and made a vow to God. Then, after God's marvelous work in her life, we see the same heart faithfully pouring out words of praise in prayer. Her joy is captured in Psalm 113:9: "He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord" (NIV).

While Hannah prayed for a child, you may have a different request that needs to be "birthed" in your life. Faithfully take your request to God in prayer, submitting yourself to Him and His holy purpose.

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