Hannah's Heart: Lessons from a Mother's Faith

Greeting

Well, again, Happy Mother’s Day!

Announce text: 1 Samuel 1

Key Text: 1 Samuel 1

Review

I think I have mentioned this before, but I have kind of taken to a series I have called Life Lessons in which I like to take special days like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and look at the life of a person from the Bible and see what lessons we can learn from their story. It’s something I started years ago, and I continued after coming here. I won’t say I’m going to commit to doing that every time, but it feels right to me to do so again today.

Tell of the funny differences between Linda’s and my memories of Mother’s Day v. Father’s Day sermons

Last year on Mother’s Day, we looked at the lives of Naomi and Ruth. We discovered from their story, that our GOD has great love and compassion for the marginalized of society. We learned that the book of Ruth is a story of YAHWEH’s love for all people, and it shows that HE is with us through our sufferings, even when we feel abandoned. The book of Ruth is a story of tragedy, hope, and the transforming power of GOD’s love in the lives of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz.

This morning, we’re going to be looking at the life of another famous mother from Scripture, Hannah, the mother of Samuel, the prophet. The title of today’s message is Hannah’s Heart: Lessons from a Mother’s Faith.

Announce text again: 1 Samuel 1

Scripture Reading

1 Samuel 1 NASB95

1 Now there was a certain man from Ramathaim-zophim from the hill country 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 He had two wives: the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 Now this man would go up from his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the Lord there. 4 When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters; 5 but to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but the Lord had closed her womb. 6 Her rival, however, would provoke her bitterly to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 It happened year after year, as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she would provoke her; so she wept and would not eat. 8 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” 9 Then Hannah rose after eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 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 son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.” 12 Now it came about, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli was watching her mouth. 13 As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. 14 Then Eli said to her, “How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you.” 15 But Hannah replied, “No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 “Do not consider your maidservant as a worthless woman, for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and provocation.” 17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him.” 18 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 arose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned again to their house in Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of the Lord.” 21 Then the man Elkanah went up with all his household to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “I will not go up until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord and stay there forever.” 23 Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you. Remain until you have weaned him; only may the Lord confirm His word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. 24 Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with a three-year-old bull and one ephah of flour and a jug of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh, although the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and brought the boy to Eli. 26 She said, “Oh, my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the Lord. 27 “For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 “So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

Prayer for added blessing to the reading of the Word

Message

This illustration comes from the publication, Preaching Today:

In a recent sermon, Bill Hybels shared this story: A friend of mine has a brain-damaged daughter. Sometimes the sadness she feels over her daughter's condition overwhelms her, as it did recently. She wrote me this letter and gave me permission to quote from it:

". . . I can hardly bear it sometimes. My most recent wave of grief came just last year before her sixteenth birthday. As the day approached, I found myself brooding over all the things that she would never be able to do. What did I do? What I've learned to do again and again: I did what I believe is the only thing to do to conquer grief, and that is to embrace it. . . I cried and cried and cried, and faced the truth of my grief head on."

People who face their feelings and express them freely begin the journey toward hope.

Preaching Today.

There are moments in life that can be overwhelming. JESUS said in John 16:33, “... In the world you have affliction ...”. There’s no getting around it - there will be difficulties in life - some that can be soul-crushing. How do we respond in those moments? Or do we react from our own resources - our emotions, our thoughts, our ways? The latter part of John 16:33, JESUS commands us, “... take courage; I have overcome the world.”

In moments of deep struggle, faithful prayer and trust in God can lead to transformative outcomes, showcasing His power and faithfulness in our lives.

1 Samuel 1 recounts the story of Hannah, a woman who faced deep personal anguish due to her inability to bear children and her rival's provocation. Despite her struggles, Hannah's faithfulness, determination in prayer, and eventual triumph highlight God’s faithfulness and the power of devoted supplication.

This morning, we’re going to look at three aspects of Hannah’s journey of faith.

1. Hannah's Heartache

1 Samuel 1:2 NASB95

2 He had two wives: the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

Immediately, we’re presented with tension in this story.

two wives

Peninnah had children, Hannah did not

In Hannah's culture, childbearing was of paramount importance for women, deeply intertwined with their identity, status, and societal value.

Children were seen as a blessing and were crucial for various reasons: they ensured family lineage, provided security in old age, and were vital for the nation's economic and military survival.

Consequently, infertility was viewed as a terrible misfortune or even a curse, causing great personal anguish and shame for women.

This cultural context intensified Hannah's distress over her inability to conceive

"bitterness of soul," "misery," and "great anguish and grief".

Her situation was further exacerbated by the presence of Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, who had multiple children and provoked Hannah about her childlessness.

This polygamous arrangement, while culturally acceptable, created a tense and painful domestic situation for both women.

It automatically pits them against one another.

Elkanah’s actions complicate things further.

1 Samuel 1:3–5 NASB95

3 Now this man would go up from his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the Lord there. 4 When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters; 5 but to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but the Lord had closed her womb.

Elkanah gives portions to both women.

To Peninnah, he gives portions for her and all of her children

To Hannah, he gives a double portion

Why?

because he loved her

Where else have we seen this before in Scripture?

Sarah & Hagar

Rachel & Leah

1 Samuel 1:6–7 NASB95

6 Her rival, however, would provoke her bitterly to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 It happened year after year, as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she would provoke her; so she wept and would not eat.

So, we see Scripture even calls them rivals.

Peninnah, seems to enjoy and revel in Hannah’s misfortune.

She treats Hannah terribly.

One commentary I read said the original language could say that she bullied Hannah.

You can feel that in the language of the NASB

We see from the text, it is the LORD Who is the cause of her barrenness.

Of course, we remember our study on blessing and cursing

It was highlighted earlier in our message, also

Both women understand and accept this as the reason.

Hannah is reduced to weeping and loses her appetite.

Not only is Hannah’s barrenness a source of great heartache and humiliation

She had to endure repeated ridicule and scorn from another woman in the same household

Again, Elkanah make things worse - this time with his words.

1 Samuel 1:8 NASB95

8 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”

As one who is suffering, here’s something very important to remember - particularly when dealing with grief:

Your friends and loved ones don’t like seeing you suffer almost as much as you don’t like to suffer.

From this desire to see change in your life so you are happy again, they will say things that are very insensitive and hurtful.

They can actually make things worse.

Grace is needed and YHWH’s Grace is sufficient for you in those moments.

Choose to remember, this is not their intent.

Choose to forgive like JESUS, and remember HIS Words on the cross, “… they know not what they do.”

Elkanah is grieved to see his wife grieving, and in typical male fashion, he tries to fix it.

Ladies, don’t be too harsh with us on this point.

GOD wired us this way, and it is a characteristic that you need from us, also.

The key, men, is for us to be sensitive enough ...

to know our wives enough

to know ourselves enough

… to know when it’s the appropriate time to try to fix something and when to just be present and listen.

Elkanah unknowingly places blame on Hannah for both her and his pain.

How does Hannah respond?

She seeks comfort from the LORD in and through prayer.

2. Hannah's Honest Plea

Hannah enters the temple where Eli the priest was sitting by the doorposts of the temple.

1 Samuel 1:10–11 NASB95

10 She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 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 son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.”

In light of Hannah’s belief that the LORD closed her womb, she goes to the temple to bring her case before the LORD.

Since it is YHWH Who closed her womb, then it is only YHWH - the Creator and Sustainer of life - Who can open her womb again.

It is here, that Hannah bears her soul before the LORD with deep sorrow and weeping.

The intensity of her prayer includes a vow ...

Have you ever made a vow before the LORD?

We see the familiar bartering language so many of us have like used before:

If you will ...

Then I will ...

Hannah makes a deal with the LORD

The conditions:

Look on her affliction & remember her

Remember is such a huge word in Scripture

Here the author draws upon comparisons to the condition of the Israelites prior to the Exodus

It is a carefully drawn comparison between

Hannah’s pain and suffering

Israel’s ancestors in Egypt

She doubles down on it restating it differently

not forget me

Then the real heart of the matter … if You will give me a son

The promise in return:

She will give her son back to YHWH in dedicated service to HIM (YHWH)

She also pledges a Nazarite vow - no razor will touch his head

The vow isn’t the typical vow, in that Hannah is essentially

seeking the gift of a son from GOD

with the intent on giving that gift back to GOD

This reminds me we need to give a return to GOD worthy of the Goodness HE has shown us.

Remember what we learned was the reason for the tragedy that happened to King Hezekiah in his later years?

2 Chronicles 32:25 NASB95

25 But Hezekiah gave no return for the benefit he received, because his heart was proud; therefore wrath came on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.

So, Hannah makes her vow. Then we read ...

1 Samuel 1:12–13 NASB95

12 Now it came about, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli was watching her mouth. 13 As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk.

The phrase, as she continued praying, might not accurately describe the intention of the original Hebrew.

This phrase can be translated to mean “to be great or many”

It means Hannah was multiplying her prayers - she never stopped fervently praying

Making the same request over and over and over again

While Hannah is lost in the Presence of YHWH, she is being watched

Eli the priest is watching her

He takes in the scene and makes a judgement on Hannah based on upon the way things appear.

He assumes he knows what is happening and harshly confronts Hannah.

When you are fervently lost in worship, in praise, and/or in prayer

Someone might be watching with a critical eye

and all too willing to correct you for what they do not understand

Remember King David rejoicing so exuberantly in celebration of the return of the ark of the LORD

which represented a return of the LORD’s Presence to Israel

He was dancing out of his clothes

His wife despised him in her heart

Be careful of the assumptions you make and of being critical or judgmental of others

especially in their worship, praise, and prayer to the LORD

these are personal (and sometimes private) areas of relationship between a child of GOD & the Heavenly FATHER

only the LORD truly knows the heart of a man (or woman)

So Eli passes judgement on Hannah and accuses her of being drunk

At this point, you might think Hannah would snap

Barren by GOD, tormented by a rival, shamed by her husband, and falsely accused by the priest

We don’t see this at all

What we see is her desire to explain the truth about what he has seen - to be understood

1 Samuel 1:15–16 NASB95

15 But Hannah replied, “No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 “Do not consider your maidservant as a worthless woman, for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and provocation.”

The Hebrew verb used to describe Hannah’s act of praying is typically used to describe pouring liquid from a jar or bowl.

It is also a technical term used

in conjunction with a sacrifice or offering being poured out

or as a sign of deep contrition and sorrow

So, Hannah isn’t drunk, but is pouring out her soul to the LORD

It is a type of offering and outpouring produced from a greatly distressed heart or troubled spirit.

While her husband deals with sacrifices and offerings of the traditional type

Hannah’s sacrifice and offering was a type of lament.

Another example and tie-together for us

Do you think the LORD wants us to learn about lamenting?

Eli probably was checked in his spirit

probably didn’t hurt that she wasn’t slurring her words or stumbling around

But he recognizes the truth and pronounces a blessing over her instead

1 Samuel 1:17 NASB95

17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him.”

From accusation to speaking life, Eli comforts Hannah with an offering of peace and what is more of a pronouncement of blessing than a hopeful condition

With the construction of this sentence in Hebrew, Eli is essentially promising, “GOD will grant your request.”

Then we see the immediate, transformative impact of his words

1 Samuel 1:18 NASB95

18 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.

Hannah poured out her soul, demonstrating vulnerability and trust.

This moment signifies a leap in faith, where vulnerability transforms into hope.

3. Hannah's Humble Devotion

Like a movie trying to encapsulate a novel in 1 1/2 hours, the story begins to accelerate in pace, fast-forwarding through the narrative

We talked earlier about the importance of the word remember … In v.19, we read:

1 Samuel 1:19 NASB95

Then they arose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned again to their house in Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her.

Here we see the other side of the lament - the foundational truth of all laments ...

GOD both hears and responds.

the LORD remembered.

This is a direct reference to Hannah’s appeal to the LORD

YHWH saw - or “observed” - her suffering & just as she requested, never “forgot” her request

Again, we a tieback to the Exodus story in which YHWH

“observed” Israel’s suffering

“heard” their cries for deliverance

“remembered” the covenants HE made with their forefathers

“responded” by delivering them from their oppression

This is a wonderful reminder that GOD deeply cares for HIS children.

HE deeply cares for those who are vulnerable and suffering.

1 Samuel 1:20 NASB95

20 It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of the Lord.”

A number of scholars have tried to give meaning to or to define Samuel’s name

Probably best read as “GOD heard”

That name based in Hannah’s prayer in chapter 2, vv.1-11, if you want to read that later.

1 Samuel 1:21–23 NASB95

21 Then the man Elkanah went up with all his household to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “I will not go up until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord and stay there forever.” 23 Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you. Remain until you have weaned him; only may the Lord confirm His word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him.

To me, this feels like a little more tension added to the story for the reader.

A year has passed, and the time has come for the yearly sacrifices & vows

Elkanah takes his entire household … but Hannah

Hannah basically says, “I want to wean him first before we go fulfill the vow to GOD regarding Samuel.”

We talked about our own vows or promises we’ve made before

Have you ever gone back on that vow - that promise?

LORD, if you will … then I will ...

Have you ever not done that thing you said?

We are usually pretty good at justifying our actions, aren’t we?

We can usually come up with an excu … er, I mean a reason why we don’t need to … or why we do do

Anyone in here feeling the weight of this?

Guilty, as charged … -me

Ecclesiastes 5:5 NASB95

5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.

I don’t believe this is the context, but it is a valid point for us to be reminded of.

I wonder if Elkanah was feeling this tension, or if he had learned his lesson from previous mistakes

Notice his response: “Do what seems best to you.” LOL

Men, take note of this response! File this one a way … right next to, “Yes, my love!”

I think he probably understood her and trusted her, though he does add a final phrase to his response:

“only may the LORD confirm HIS Word.”

When I read this, I thought this was a reminder to Hannah of her vow, and it could have been.

The law on the vows made by a wife are found in the book of Numbers.

Numbers 30:7 NASB95

7 and her husband hears of it and says nothing to her on the day he hears it, then her vows shall stand and her obligations by which she has bound herself shall stand.

We have no record of Elkanah ever discussing it with Hannah, much less correcting her, thereby absolving the vow

So, it seems to me this is a reminder of the vow that was made

But the vow has two parts

Hannah offer her son to the LORD

the LORD then employs Samuel in HIS service

So, Elkanah could have been expressing his support and belief that YHWH would take Samuel in

So, the child is weaned … what does Hannah do?

1 Samuel 1:24 NASB95

24 Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with a three-year-old bull and one ephah of flour and a jug of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh, although the child was young.

Hannah fulfills her vow by taking materials for two sacrifices with her

three-year old bull and one ephah of flour and a jug of wine

this likely could have been translated, “a three-year old bull and bread”

these are the elements for a votive offering found in

Numbers 15:8–10 NASB95

8 ‘When you prepare a bull as a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a special vow, or for peace offerings to the Lord, 9 then you shall offer with the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-half a hin of oil; 10 and you shall offer as the drink offering one-half a hin of wine as an offering by fire, as a soothing aroma to the Lord.

So, they offer the bread offering and sacrifice the bull for the first sacrifice.

The second sacrifice is a much greater offering. They go to Eli.

1 Samuel 1:26–28 NASB95

26 She said, “Oh, my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the Lord. 27 “For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 “So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

Can you imagine the emotions Hannah must have been experiencing?

To experience such deep pain and anguish year-after-year-after-year

Then a prayer of lament - likely this wasn’t the only time she prayed, just the final recording of her praying for a child, do you think?

A miraculous answer

A brief moment in time to share in her joy

And then a fulfillment of a vow to return that miraculous, joyous gift back to the author of life, Creator GOD, YHWH for lifelong service

The second sacrifice much more valuable and precious: her one and only son, Samuel

one and only …

Abraham > Isaac

GOD the FATHER > JESUS

In presenting her son Samuel to Eli, Hannah had fulfilled her part of the vow.

As a result of her gesture, Samuel then becomes her “living sacrifice” to the LORD.

What a powerful expression of a lament deep-seated in pain; a powerful, compassionate GOD Who both hears and responds; and a mother’s unrelenting, dedication in faith, obedience, and sacrifice!

So, pj … What’s the point?

Conclusion

Hannah endured deep anguish as a result of her barrenness. Adding to her turmoil, was the constant mockery and bullying from her rival, Penninah and a well-intentioned husband, who only made things worse with his comments. A quick-to-judge priest’s harsh words of incorrect correction, expanded the gaping soul wound of heartache. Yet, despite her trials, Hannah kept a persistent faith that drove her to prayerful lament before the LORD. YHWH responds to her pleas with astonishing grace, granting her a son. Her gratitude is expressed through dedicating Samuel to God’s service.

In the context of the Bible, Hannah's story points to Christ in that she dedicated her son Samuel to the Lord, just as Mary would later dedicate her son Jesus, who would fulfill the ultimate purpose of redemption for mankind. God’s grace in Hannah’s life reflects the grace found in Christ, who hears our pleas and intercedes for us.

Hannah’s example helps us understand the importance of faith and perseverance in the face of personal trials. It shows how prayer and reliance on God can lead to breakthroughs, even in desperate situations, encouraging individuals to keep trusting God with their struggles, whether they are related to family, health, or personal desires.

Her life teaches us that sincere prayer and faith can lead to miraculous answers. It highlights the importance of bringing our burdens to God, understanding that He hears our cries, and sometimes our greatest challenges can lead to profound blessings.

Closing prayer & time of introspection

Call ushers forward & serve Communion

Benediction

Numbers 6:24–26 NASB95

24 The Lord bless you, and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’

Scripture records the following words in v.27:

Numbers 6:27 NASB95

27 “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”

So, receive and go with the blessings of YAHWEH!