"A Prayer to The God Who Hears"

1 Samuel begins with the ending of the book of Judges and carries us mainly through the struggles of the first two kings of Israel: Saul & David.

But if you think of the book of Judges, its theme, and this time can be summed up in Judges 21:25

Judges 21:25 (ESV)

25 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

In our story…Elkanah had two wives: Hannah and Peninnah.

Peninnah had children, but Hannah was barren.

Well if you know many of the stories of the O.T. you probably remember a similar story with Sarai and Hagar or Leah/Rachel.

These folks had broken hearts over their situations…most possibly exacerbated by their “sister wives”. They would consider their lives in distress.

Look at 1 Sam. 1:6

1 Samuel 1:6 (ESV)

6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb.

One might find this to be a high level of cruelty and a burdensome life.

1 Samuel 1:9–18 ESV

9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and 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.” 12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

Eli is at the doorpost.

In essence, by this time Eli is old in age.

In a few chapters, we will see him in similar fashion.

He no longer participates in the active worship leadership, but was in a sense the Elder/Authority to act as judge and liaison/protector of worship.

In 1 Samuel 2:12-4:21 is found the details of Eli’s family and their sinful dysfunction.

So here is Eli in his post of overseeing things…Sitting at the door of the “Temple”

We might put it in quotes because at this point the Temple has not yet been built.

So, the man of God, is there observing.

In our text the first idea for us to cling to is:

We Go to Him in Our Burdens!

Look at vs 9-10

1 Samuel 1:9–10 ESV

9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.

Dinner was over, but Hannah was still empty.

1 Samuel 1:7 (ESV)

7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.

Job 7:11 ESV

11 “Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Job 10:1 ESV

1 “I loathe my life; I will give free utterance to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

First: “We God to Him in Our Burdens!”

Second:

We Try to Reason With God!

1 Samuel 1:11 ESV

11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and 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.”

Let me start here by saying that we do not negotiate with God.

God allowed her to vow her vow as He did others.

But this was the way the Lord led her that He might use her offspring.

In Job 38-42, we find this great dialogue between Job and God.

Our God Hears!

1 Samuel 1:15–18 ESV

15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

Walking Away, But In...

Would you come before the Lord Burdened?!