1 Samuel 1:1-2:11

Background for entire book. This how does your passage fit?

1 and 2 Samuel should be considered one book. The division only come because of scroll length.

Before Samuel the book of Judges rehearse how Israel failed to remain faithful to YHWH and love according to the constitution [10 Commandments/Law] YHWH established with the after delivering them from slavery in Egypt.

It was a period of moral chaos and revealed that Israel needed wise and faithful leadership. Samuel is the answer to how God provides that leadership they need.

“everyone did what was right in their own eye” [find all the places this is used in Judges.]

200 years of extraordinary social upheaval in Israel. [The middle of the 11 century BC.]

These were the 200 years after the Israelites had come into the land of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. The era is often referred to as the period of the judges.

Much of it is recounted in the book of Judges, which concludes with this summary: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).2 In other words, there was no established and permanent political authority in the land. Anarchy reigned. There was a crisis of leadership in Israel. Or so it seemed.

The three main figures of the book is Samuel, Saul and David. [Serves as a helpful breakdown for the book as well. [ [1-7] [8-14] [15-31] ]

They three transition Israel from a groups of tribes to a unified kingdom ruled [by the books closures by king David] in Jerusalem.

Samuel is the prophet in the first part of the book and the transition from Judge in Israel to king.

Saul rise and fall then David rise and then falls as well.

Samuel links Israel’s era of uncertainty under the judges’s leadership, the rise of the monarchy under Saul and the flourishing reign under David. Samuel also rehearses Israel’s struggle to conquer and subdue her enemies that were left unconquered during the conquest.

Some of the things we see in the narrative of Samuel is

YHWH’s uniqueness as Israel’s God.

Israel’s status as God’s chosen people.

Humanity Failure and God’s faithfulness to himself through it.

God’s Divine sovereignty

God’s Divine Blessing

Samuel answers the question how would God cause His people to survive considering the two centuries of corruption, instability and even corruption in the nation’s leadership and people recorded in the book of judges. What is the solution for the special people that God made His own?

A secondary questions would be what can we learn about God and ourselves from His dealing with His people during this curial time in their history.

1 Corinthians 10:11 “11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.”

Romans 15:4 “4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

Observations and Questions

The Over All Text

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Word & Phrase Study

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Goal/Purpose

What are you trying to accomplish with this sermon. Should be linked to the inspired meaning of the text.

People to pray

Who are some people this sermon will benefit?

Who are some people that represent groups of people to keep in mind when thinking through Application.

Prayer

What should you be asking God for yourself and your people.

What are some hurdles or hindrances to understanding this text.

Opening Statement [HOOK]

Is there something that relates well to this topic that will draw your people into understanding why they need to open their bibles to this passages.

Something about leadership and the blessing and curse of leadership and the important of following the right leaders. [Rework the whole thing to make it your own] [Find some articles that talk about leaders and its importance from a worldly perspective. ]

Leadership is an important topic to consider in life. Who leaders are can promote a sense of honor or cynicism in a people depending on who is in leadership at that time.

Leadership also matters in the world of business, sports, entertainment, fashion. Indeed leadership is something that touches our lives at every level and in every sphere.

All of us choose leaders and reject leaders. We allow some people to influence us, and we reject the influence of others.

This happens in many different ways—as we choose a career, as we learn, as we make important decisions, as we make life choices, as we develop our values. We do not do these things in isolation from external influences. On the contrary, our lives are shaped by the influence of different people whose example or ideas or vision or teaching or values we follow. These are our real leaders, although it is possible that we do not always think of them, and they do not necessarily think of themselves, as leaders. By definition leaders are those who are followed!

It is interesting to reflect for a moment on the leaders who have shaped your life. Who are the leaders who are now shaping your life? Some will be obvious. Some we might hardly realize.

“Let me ask you a question: When are you most tempted to forget God’s faithfulness? Is it in the quiet seasons of obscurity, when it feels like no one sees you or your life doesn’t matter? Is it in the crushing weight of distress, when the prayers seem unanswered and the pain won’t go away? Is it in the moments of provision, when the blessing comes and it’s so easy to cling to the gift instead of the Giver? Or is it in the high points of life, when everything is going well and our praise fades into pride?

The truth is, every season of life—whether dark or bright—carries a temptation to forget. And that’s why this passage in 1 Samuel is so powerful. It shows us a God who is faithful in obscurity, faithful in distress, faithful in provision, and faithful in our praise. And it calls us to remember Him in every season.”

Background to Understand Passage

Who ?

What?

Where?

Why?

How?

So what?

Near Context to Understand

Proposition Statement

God delights to begin His work in places of weakness, distress and obscurity. She is 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11 how God turns barrenness into blessing, prayer into provision and sorrow into song of praise.

In 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11 you will

Exegetical Outline

Distress and Obscurity Point 1 [vv1-8]

Remember the immediate background to Samuel is the book of Judges. The is a national crisis. The people are without leadership there are matters of national imporatnace and concern but the book opens up with “there was a certain man.”

for some 200 years Israel had experienced instability as a community and insecurity as a nation.

If this is a solution to the national problem you would expect the author to focus on someone of important. Someone with clout and stature and pull.

But it doesn't.

Present- What does the text say?

1 Samuel 1:1–8

“1 There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.

The exact location of Ramathaim-zophim is unknown to us, buts its distinct from Ramah. We know it was located in the territory of Benjamin.

Elkanah was from the family line of Kohath. A tribe of Levi [the priestly tribe] 1 Chronicles 6:25-28; 33-38.

There might be some small significance in them being a Ephrathite because we know that Bethlehem is also know asn Ephrathan. A town that will eventully become famous, but not at this point. [1 Samuel 16:1-13; 1 Samuel 17:17; Micah 5:2]

The mentioned of Him and the listing of his family tree offer not suggestion of importance. These are insignificant and obscure people. [They cultural NOBODIES]

Why in these critical days in Israel’s history are we introduced to these insignificant characters?

The narrative becomes more obscure because the insignificant man is NOT even the main focus of the narrative. Its one of his insignificant wives.

2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah [Grace], and the name of the other, Peninnah [Pearl]. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

What is important about these people that we need to consider them.

Their importance is found in their unimportance. From the view point of social standing, fame, power within the nation, this family were NOBODIES and realities is elevated considering the narrative focus in on a childless women of a nobody family.

God solution for the nations leadership problem is found in the most unexpected place. Samuel highlights God’s work in created something out of nothing.

Life out of death, some bodies from no bodies.

It’s important to note that the Bible never endorses Polygamy.

The Bible often records what happens with no commentary on the rightness or wrongness of a situation in the recording.

The Bible teaches with clarity God’s creative intention for 1 man and 1 women marriage in life long Monogamous commitment to each other before God as the only good and right model for human relationship that involve sex or Romantic intimacy. Matthew 19:1-12; Genesis 2:24

But this is the situation God’s is going to work through. Even when His fallen creature don’t pursue what is best, He is able to accomplish His purposes.

Hannah was likely Elkanah’s first wife [Her name is listed first], but because she was unable to bare children he took a second one. This was NOT forbidden in the OT [Deuteronomy 21:15-17] but the OT is clear that every time is happens difficulty, sadness, toil and hardships are always the result.

Childlessness was a social blemish in that cultures. Often viewed as God’s disfavor or rejection of you due to sin. [Genesis 16:4-5; 30:1; Luke 1:24-25]

The ability to produce and heir was important, not only to maintain the family line, but also for the preservation of the father’s estate within the clan and the tribe.

Nothing is special about Hannah other than God’s choosing to work through her. How many other women has the bible indicated would have been in a similar situation and how many people living during her day likely dealt with the same disappoint as she was.

The mention of Hannah barrenness should signal to us that God is about to step into this situation and work. In other places of Scripture, whenever a barren woman is highlighted, it often foreshadowing that God is preparing to bring about something significant through His work in her.

Sarah Genesis 11:30

Hannah and Peninnah’s rivalry has parallels in the Sarah and Hagar account [Genesis 16:4-5]

Rebekah didn’t have children for 20 years of her marriage to Issac Genesis 25:20-26

Rachel remains without child for years while her sister and servant produced children for her husband Jacob. Genesis 29:30-30:24

Hannah and Peninnah’s rivalry has parallels the Leah and Rachel account [Genesis 30:14-16]

Manoah’s wife had a fruitless womb until YHWH gave her Samson Judges 13.

In the NT Elizabeth is old and childless before the Lord provides Job the Baptist Luke 1:5-25.

Barren women seem to be a instrument of God in raising up key figures in redemptive history. [God’s modus operandi]

This brings up a biblical principle that is good to remember as God’s people. God is zealous for His glory. He is incline to work in situations where it is clear that only he could produce or accomplish what was accomplished. God’s tendency is to make out total inability his starting point. Hour hopelessness and helplessness are not barrier to His work, they are actually his delight. Our utter incapacity is often the arena by which He accomplish His next act, because against the backdrop of our utter Insufficiency His sufficiency is magnified.

Dale Ralph Davis: When His people are without strength, without resources, without hope, without human gimmicks- then He loves to stretch forth His hand from heaven.

3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord.

Shiloh was about 15 miles north of Ramah. In Joshua 18:1 we are told the tabernacle had been set up there after Israel entered the land.

Elkanah seemed like a man who took the Lord seriously he was attentive to his responsibility before God. He gave thanks for God and honored Him in appropriate ways for his time.

The OT law required every Israelie to appear before the Lord three times a year. [Exodus 23:14-19; 34:23; Deuteronomy 16:16-17]

4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb.

There is a little confusion about the Hebrew text here. Either it originally said he gave her a double portion or one portion. It doesn’t affect the meaning of the text a lot.

If it was a double portion, the text is trying to indicate he was attempting to compensate for the fact that she couldn’t have children and it was his love for her that drove him to do that.

If it was one portion, the text is trying to indicate why she only received one portion considering his love for her. Since Elhanah was a fair man and knew she only needed one portion since she had no kids that is what he gave her, even though he loved her so much.

The main point of the text we need to know is that this man love Hannah despite the Lord closing her womb.

This likely is what provoked Peninnah to jealously and her efforts to irritate and provoke her.

Please note why the author indicates she is childless.

They recognized her barrenness was not accidental but providential.

Elkanah didnt get bitter with God or reject His hand upon the situation. He worshipped God. His behavior is informed by his correct understanding of his situation. He didnt blame Hannah and say your the problem. He didn’t insult God and say you don’t care. He worship God.

John Woodhouse: Elkanah saw these circumstances in the way in which we should see all of our circumstances, and especially those that are not welcome. All things that come our way (or do not come our way) are God’s doing. He is sovereign over all that happens in his world. He is therefore sovereign over everything that happens (and that does not happen) in our lives. We will see shortly that this does not necessarily mean passive acceptance of the permanence of whatever happens to us. But it does mean humble recognition of God’s hand behind the circumstances in which we find ourselves. This understanding will affect our behavior, especially in difficult and unwelcome circumstances.

The small things of life are just as arranged by God as the major and startling events of life. The one who counts the stars is the same one who numbers the hairs on our head.

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

Peninnah is an overly fertile, big mouth thorn in the flesh to Hannah.

Imagine what dinner was like

Peninnah: Now ALL of you kids need to make sure you eat all your food that your Father worked so hard to provide. Oh my its SOO MANY of you, it hard to keep up with you ALL.

Peninnah son: Mama, Where are Miss Hannah kids?

Peninnah: What did you say SON?

Peninnah son: Where are Miss Hannah’s kids? Does she like kids? Does she want kids?

Peninnah: Well Miss Hannah doesn’t have kids. But that is a good questions lets ask her, Miss Hannah do you like kids, do you want kids?

Peninnah son: I know daddy likes kids.

Peninnah: I know son, and daddy would LOVE for Miss Hannah to give him kids, but she just keeps disappointing daddy, she just can’t have kids. God won’t let her. Bummer Huh?

Peninnah: Ok, finish you lamb and pass me the hummas.

Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And 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 more to you than ten sons?””

Elkanah is being gentle and tenderly with her.

Elkanah [like most] can’t help his wife.

Gene Getz: Elkanah’s response to Hannah’s emotional turmoil both humorous and embarrassing. She needed empathy and sincere understanding, not a typical male self-centered approach.

Getz notes that Elkanah’s four questions in verse 8 indicate his inability to relate to her feelings:

“Hannah, why are you weeping?” (as if he didn’t know).

“Why don’t you eat?” (as if he didn’t understand the reason).

“Why are you downhearted?” (again, as if he wasn’t aware of what was happening).

“Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

His words may have seemed kind but they were inadequate. This was a situation that needed to be brought to the Lord.

Illustrate – Relate it to your people [Examples]

Apply – What are the implication in life [Sometimes the illustration can do this]

God’s answer to the crisis in Israel, like God’s answer to the crisis of the world, comes from the most unexpected quarter.

If we insist on looking to the powerful, the influential, and the impressive of this world, we will miss it.

It began for Israel with a childless woman with family connections to Bethlehem.

That is where we must look if we want to see God’s answer—just as we must look to the child of another woman, born in Bethlehem, if we are to see God’s answer for the world. The story of 1 Samuel eventually leads to the one whom God has exalted “at his right hand as Leader and Savior” (Acts 5:31).

Prove – Usually a cross reference

Summarize and Transition

This situation drove Hannah to God. It drove her to the “Throne of Grace”, to the very presence of her God who she knew was in control of her situation. To fervent supplication from which eventually Samuel would come.

Point 2 [vv9–18]

Present- What does the text say?

1 Samuel 1:9–18

“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.

Deeply distress - bitter of soul [Ruth 1:20]

Deeply distressed” (literally, “bitter of soul”) implies Hannah’s “disappointment, dissatisfaction, discontent”13 with her circumstances. She was a deeply unhappy woman. But out of her misery and through her tears, Hannah “prayed to the LORD.

Sometime tears themselves can be prayers

Psalm 6:8 “8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.”

She could have cursed God, challenged his motives, or rejected him for a miserable life of bitterness. She reminds us to let our sorrows and travails drive us to our knees before the great throne of grace.

There is a special logic behind Hannah’s action. We might call it the logic of faith. To know that your suffering has come, ultimately, from God’s hand could lead to fatalism: “If God is sovereign, then who am I to do anything but passively accept my lot?” But that is not the logic of real faith in God. Alternatively the knowledge that God is Lord, even over my tragic experiences, could lead to resentment: “If God has done this to me, then I want nothing to do with him!” Again, this is not the logic of faith. Faith in God means knowing and trusting God’s sovereignty and his goodness toward us. The logic of faith says, “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose,” and therefore nothing in all of God’s creation “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:28, 39). Faith in God, therefore, leads us in our troubles to pray to the God who is sovereign over all things.

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.”

The narrator gives us a peak into Hannah’s prayer journal. So we can know only something her and God would have known.

Hannah turned to YHWH of armies. [these troubles drove her to her knees.]

The first time this phrase is used in the OT Scripture is in verse 3, but this is the first time in Scripture someone uses this title to address God.

She is coming to God with the right perspective and humilty. she refers to Him as Lord 7 times. [1 Samuel 1:11; 15; 26-28]

The God whose universal rule encompasses every force or army, heavenly cosmic and earthly. The God who has the total resources of the universe at His command.

This is the God who Hannah went to. Hannah’s God is not cosmic mascot. He is able to effect situations. He is able to act. He is a great God who has the power to open closed womb. To bring life from dead ovaries.

One thing to note is that Hannah matters to God. Has the time, strength ability and desire to uphold the universe by the word of His power and listen to Hannah’s plea. This passage teaches us that The God of host, the cosmic ruler, the sovereign one, the one with all power in his hand also cares for the broken heart of this relatively obscure woman in the hill countries of Ephraim.. She matters to him.

Psalm 6:9 “9 The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer.”

[rework] it is also instructive to compare Hannah’s petition here to YHWH statement in Exodus 3:7, when he assures Moses “I have certainly seen [looked at] the affliction of my people who are in Egypt.” Hannah assumes that the God who has certainly seen the affliction s of a corporate people can as certainly be expected to see the distress of an individual servant.”

When Hannah asked God to “look on [her] affliction,” she was echoing the language of God’s dealings with Israel. The exodus from Egypt in the days of Moses—that historic act by which God redeemed his people and brought them to himself to be his people—is typically described like this: “I have surely seen the affliction of my people,” “when they heard that the LORD … had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped,” “the LORD … saw our affliction,” “you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt” (Exodus 3:7; 4:31; Deuteronomy 26:7; Nehemiah 9:9). The words in italics represent the same Hebrew words translated “look” and “affliction” in 1 Samuel 1:11. Hannah begged God to do for her what he had done for Israel in the days of Moses. She was asking God to do what God had shown to be his characteristic behavior toward his people.

15 The language of God “looking” on the “affliction” of someone is also found in Genesis 29:32, when Leah gave birth to Reuben; Genesis 31:42, when God blessed Jacob despite Laban’s ill treatment of him; 2 Kings 14:26, when the Lord had mercy on Israel in the days of Jeroboam II; Job 10:15, in Job’s cry to God out of his misery; Psalm 9:13, 25:18, 31:7, and 119:153 in the prayers of David in the face of his enemies; Lamentations 1:9, in Jerusalem’s plea to God after her destruction.

In other words, Hannah’s faith, expressed in her prayer, was not make-believe. It was confidence based on knowledge of what God is like and what God had done.

Hannah was dedicating Samuel to be a Nazirite [Numbers 6:1-21]

Hannah’s use of this phrase has led many scholars to believe that she was dedicating her son to be a lifelong Nazirite. According to Numbers 6:1–21, three conditions were attached to the Nazirite vow. First, the individual must abstain from wine and all other fermented drinks. Second, no razor was to be used on the head of a Nazirite. Finally, the individual must not go near a dead body. Throughout the days of this vow, the Nazirite was considered to be holy unto the Lord. Samson was a Nazirite (Judg. 13:3–5). Paul apparently took a Nazirite vow (Acts 18:18; 21:23–24). It is possible also that John the Baptist was a Nazirite.

Hannah’s prayer took the form of a vow (“she vowed a vow”). It would be a misunderstanding to think that Hannah was here bargaining with God—making a promise that she hoped would induce God’s favor (“if you do this for me, I’ll do that for you”). Her prayer had the following elements:

She addressed God in terms that acknowledged his majesty: “O LORD of hosts.”16 She knew who God is. All true prayer is like that. Prayer has been made possible by God’s making himself known. We dare to speak to God because he has spoken to us.

She approached God in terms that acknowledged her place before him—“your servant.”17 She knew who she was before God. All true prayer is like that, too. We can only speak to God humbly.

She made her request known to God (cf. Philippians 4:6). She asked God for what she deeply desired. And what was that? God’s attention: “if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant … “Here again is faith’s logic. Some other logic might want to escape from God if God is ultimately responsible for my sad circumstances. But faith understands that there is nowhere else to go. God is sovereign and good. Hannah’s only hope was that God, in his goodness, would attend to her sorrow, just as he had attended to the sorrow of the people of Israel in Egypt. There is a mystery here. Some modern writers set the kind of language used here by Hannah over against other Bible statements. If Hannah asked God to look upon her, does that imply that she had been out of his sight—as though God is not in fact omniscient? But elsewhere we read, “no creature is hidden from his sight” (Hebrews 4:13). If God is to “remember” and “not forget” her, does that imply that he had actually forgotten her, as though God has lapses of memory? But in the next chapter we will hear Hannah describe the Lord as “a God of knowledge” (1 Samuel 2:3). These statements are not in opposition. The language of Hannah’s prayer is the language of human experience. God’s omniscience and perfect knowledge were the presupposition of her prayer, but she prayed that God might so look on her misery and so attend to her that he would now do for her what he had previously not done—give her a son.

She made her vow to God. Should God grant Hannah her request, then she promised that the child would be given to the one who had given him to her. The sense in which Hannah will “give him to the LORD” is indicated in the words “no razor shall touch his head.” This appears to be a way of saying that he would be a Nazirite—a person particularly dedicated to God’s service. A Nazirite vow was normally a temporary matter. In this case, however, Hannah’s child would be a Nazirite “all the days of his life.”

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.”

Hannah has not been drinking but pouring our her heart

Psalm 142:2 “2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.”

Hannah is approaching YHWH with boldness at His Throne of Grace. [Hebrews 4:16]

YHWH allows and welcomes His people to do this. To pour of their griefs and sob their perplexities at His feet. Our Lord can handle our tears; it wont make Him nervous or ill at ease if you unload your distresses at his feet.

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.”

Now she was no longer weeping, no longer refusing her food, no longer sad. We may well say that she had cast all her anxiety on the Lord, knowing that he cared for her. Certainly she had humbled herself under God’s mighty hand, and he had exalted her.

1 Peter 5:6–7 “6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Explain – What does the text mean?

Illustrate – Relate it to your people [Examples]

Apply – What are the implication in life [Sometimes the illustration can do this]

Prove – Usually a cross reference

Summarize and Transition

Point 3 [vv19–28]

Present- What does the text say?

1 Samuel 1:19–28

“19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 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.”

the verb “to remember” (zakar) points to the beginning of a major new work initiated by God on behalf of his people (Gen. 8:1; Exod. 2:24).

Just as the Lord had “remembered” Noah in the days of the flood, Abraham when he destroyed Sodom, Rachel when she conceived Joseph, and his covenant with Abraham in the days of Moses (Genesis 8:1; 19:29; 30:22; Exodus 2:24; 6:5; cf. Numbers 10:9), so he “remembered” Hannah. Whenever God “remembered” his people, it led to his action on their behalf. We will not be mistaken if we expect that his remembering Hannah will involve his remembering his people Israel.

21 The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.” 23 Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the Lord establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him.

Weaned could have taken up to three years.

24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli.

26 And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.”

More literal or wooden translation would be “For this child i prayed, and YHWH gave me my asking which I asked from Him; and I also have given back what was asked to YHWH; all the days he lives he is one that is asked for YHWH.”

Her words recall Eli’s words to her hack in v:17

Hannah is communicating I am giving back to YHWH what was lent to me. I asked YHWH for him and I am given back to YHWH what I asked.

She realizes that her child is not her child but on loan from YHWH.

This is the point where she presents him back to YHWH. He is “made over to YHWY”

We should desire this for the children that YHWH gives to us. They are his gifts that should be prepared to be presented back to him. Samuel was her child, but more importanly He was the Lord’s because she prayed for him.

Psalm 127:3–5 “3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”

Explain – What does the text mean?

Illustrate – Relate it to your people [Examples]

Apply – What are the implication in life [Sometimes the illustration can do this]

Prove – Usually a cross reference

Summarize and Transition

Point 4 [vv2:1-11]

Present- What does the text say?

The first was a vow, the result of bitter anguish; the second, a song of praise and thanksgiving for God’s gracious gift of a son.

1 Samuel 2:1–11

“1 And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. 2 “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

He was not the product of her strength or her own achievement. The term horn symbolizes strength (2:10; see also Pss. 89:24; 112:9; 132:17).

micro-salvation - This section is about what the Lord did for Hannah. [note the use of the personal pronouns. my, I ]

In Biblical thought the heart is more than the seat of emotions. The heart is the center of the person. Thoughts and plans, will and decision, as well as deep emotions, come from the heart. In Hannah’s case the Lord was now the focus of her heart’s confident joy.

“my horn.” “The idea seems to be that the animal’s horn is its glory and power, held high, perhaps in triumph after goring an enemy into submission

There is none holy like the Lord

Exodus 15:11 “11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”

The rock

This God cannot be set alongside other options that might be the focus of our hopes, our confidence, and our dreams. Nowhere will you find goodness as perfect as the holiness of the Lord; nowhere will you find safety as sure as our God provides. Hannah knew, as the Israelites who came out of Egypt knew, the stupidity of allowing anything to rival the Lord, this holy God, our rock. He is the incomparable God! There is no one besides him, no one like him

The God who knows

There are no secrets from him; there are not mysteries to him, there is no unknowns to him. There is no possibility of deceiving him.

All human actions should be seen in the light of the fact that they are weighed by the God of knowledge (cf. Romans 2:16). Look at Peninnah’s hateful cruelty. Weighed by the God of knowledge, its true character is seen. Look at the things you have done today. Can you see them weighed by the God of knowledge? Particularly consider the human abilities, achievements, triumphs, and successes that lead to pride and self-confidence. When they are weighed by the God of knowledge, the arrogant mouth is silenced.

Luke 16:15 “15 And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”

1 Chronicles 29:17 “17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.”

1 Samuel 16:7 “7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.””

Psalm 7:9 “9 Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous— you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!”

Psalm 139:1–2 “1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.”

Jeremiah 17:10 “10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.””

John 2:25 “25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.”

John 21:17 “17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

Acts 1:18 “18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.”

Acts 15:8 “8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,”

1 Corinthians 4:5 “5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”

Revelation 2:23 “23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.”

4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. 5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. 6 The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. 8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.

This is more a explanation of what YHWH does but with the understanding because that is Who He is. We should expect Him to act within His nature.

Hannah is saying “I was ready to fall and YHWH gave me strength; I was barren and hHe made me fruitful; I was poor and he made me rich. But that is NOT really suprising, for that is just the way YHWH is!”

Her language makes her sound rather more like a victorious army than a new mother!

The incongruity between Hannah’s extreme language and what was, after all, a common enough (though wonderful) experience, the birth of a child, is an important key to this remarkable prayer.

In her earlier prayer, in chapter 1, we noted that she drew on the vocabulary of Israel’s history. The same is true of this prayer. Hannah sounds like a victorious army because she was echoing the language of Israel on occasions of great deliverance by God. In particular she seems to express the same sentiments as Moses and the people of Israel after they were rescued from the Egyptians: Exodus 15:1-2.

9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. 10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.” 11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah. And the boy was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli the priest.”

Macro-salvation - When YHWH salvation is fully and completely seen by everyone.

Hannah is given insight that this will be through God’s anointed king.

The way YHWH dealt with Hannah was a foretaste of what He would do comprehensively one day.

The saving help YHWH gave to Hannah is a scaled model demonstration of how YHWH will do it when He does it on a grand scale.

Christian, every time God lifts you out of the miry pit and sets your feet upon the rock, remember this is a taste, a foreshadowing of what he will do in the future. It is a downpayment of the full future deliverance to come. Its s sign of future fullness

A happily married women may wear a diamond ring and/or wedding band. And, if you asked her, she would likely admit that the ring is a token or sign of the love her husband has for her; she would acknowledge that is is only a sign or a symbol and that the ring is certainly no the love itself but that the real thing is much greater that the sign or symbol of it. but she will not for that reason despise the ring; she wont reason that since it is only a symbol she might just as well see it as her garage sale. No, because of the deeper reality it signifies she treasures it, though it is, admittedly relatively insignificant.

Explain – What does the text mean?

Illustrate – Relate it to your people [Examples]

Apply – What are the implication in life [Sometimes the illustration can do this]

Prove – Usually a cross reference

Summarize and Transition

Conclusions

Discussion Questions and Hand out Material

From Barrenness to Blessing: Hannah's Journey of Faith

Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11

Summary: The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1-2 reveals her deep anguish over her inability to conceive, her earnest prayers to God, and ultimately her joyful dedication of her son Samuel to the Lord, illustrating faith in God's promise and provision.

Application: This sermon encourages those who feel barren in their own lives—whether through unfulfilled dreams, unanswered prayers, or personal struggles—to trust in God's timing and faithfulness. Hannah's story shows that through persistent prayer and surrender to God's will, transformation can occur.

Teaching: The teaching underscores the power of sincere prayer and the importance of dedicating our gifts back to God. It emphasizes that God's responses may come in unexpected ways and timings, reflecting His sovereignty and grace in our lives.

How this passage could point to Christ: Hannah's yearning for a child and her subsequent dedication of Samuel to the Lord foreshadows God's provision of Jesus. Just as Hannah offered her son in service to God's purposes, God offers His Son for the redemption of humanity, highlighting themes of sacrifice and hope.

Big Idea: Faithful prayer amidst trials leads to divine blessing and fulfillment of God's promises, teaching us to trust in God's greater plan for our lives.

Recommended Study: Consider exploring the cultural context of childbearing and the significance of names in biblical times using your Logos library. Investigate the translation nuances of key terms such as 'barren' and 'dedicate,' as well as the theological implications of Hannah's vow in relation to the Nazirite tradition, which could deepen your understanding of her commitment and its relevance today.

1. Pain in Persistent Prayer

1 Samuel 1:1-8

You could explore Hannah's deep anguish and longing for a child in these verses, which sets the stage for her journey of faith. Despite Peninnah's provocation and Elkanah's inability to understand her pain, Hannah exemplifies emotional honesty before God. This could encourage your audience to bring their genuine struggles before God, trusting that He understands and cares for their deepest desires.

2. Pleading with Purpose

1 Samuel 1:9-18

Perhaps dive into Hannah's heartfelt prayer and vow, showcasing her faith and desperation. Eli initially misunderstands her, yet her sincerity and faith-filled prayer reveal her total dependence on God. This can encourage your listeners to persist in prayer, knowing that God hears and respects a sincere heart, and to release their burdens with faith in God's timing.

3. Promise Fulfilled, Praise Offered

1 Samuel 1:19-28

Maybe discuss the fulfillment of Hannah's prayer and her faithful response in dedicating Samuel back to God. Her actions demonstrate that true faith involves surrender and acknowledgment of God's lordship. This could inspire your audience to consider how they might dedicate their blessings back to God, trusting Him with outcomes and purposes beyond their understanding.

4. Praise through Proclamation

1 Samuel 2:1-11

You could reflect on Hannah's prayer of thanksgiving and worship, which shifts the focus from personal fulfillment to God's greatness and sovereignty. Her song ties her personal story to God's larger redemptive work, offering hope that God is at work even in trials. This could help your congregation see their own stories within God’s bigger narrative and to live with a heart of gratitude and worship.

From Barrenness to Blessing: Hannah's Journey of Faith

Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11

Summary: The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1-2 reveals her deep anguish over her inability to conceive, her earnest prayers to God, and ultimately her joyful dedication of her son Samuel to the Lord, illustrating faith in God's promise and provision.

Application: This sermon encourages those who feel barren in their own lives—whether through unfulfilled dreams, unanswered prayers, or personal struggles—to trust in God's timing and faithfulness. Hannah's story shows that through persistent prayer and surrender to God's will, transformation can occur.

Teaching: The teaching underscores the power of sincere prayer and the importance of dedicating our gifts back to God. It emphasizes that God's responses may come in unexpected ways and timings, reflecting His sovereignty and grace in our lives.

How this passage could point to Christ: Hannah's yearning for a child and her subsequent dedication of Samuel to the Lord foreshadows God's provision of Jesus. Just as Hannah offered her son in service to God's purposes, God offers His Son for the redemption of humanity, highlighting themes of sacrifice and hope.

Big Idea: Faithful prayer amidst trials leads to divine blessing and fulfillment of God's promises, teaching us to trust in God's greater plan for our lives.

Recommended Study: Consider exploring the cultural context of childbearing and the significance of names in biblical times using your Logos library. Investigate the translation nuances of key terms such as 'barren' and 'dedicate,' as well as the theological implications of Hannah's vow in relation to the Nazirite tradition, which could deepen your understanding of her commitment and its relevance today.

1. Pain in Persistent Prayer

1 Samuel 1:1-8

You could explore Hannah's deep anguish and longing for a child in these verses, which sets the stage for her journey of faith. Despite Peninnah's provocation and Elkanah's inability to understand her pain, Hannah exemplifies emotional honesty before God. This could encourage your audience to bring their genuine struggles before God, trusting that He understands and cares for their deepest desires.

2. Pleading with Purpose

1 Samuel 1:9-18

Perhaps dive into Hannah's heartfelt prayer and vow, showcasing her faith and desperation. Eli initially misunderstands her, yet her sincerity and faith-filled prayer reveal her total dependence on God. This can encourage your listeners to persist in prayer, knowing that God hears and respects a sincere heart, and to release their burdens with faith in God's timing.

3. Promise Fulfilled, Praise Offered

1 Samuel 1:19-28

Maybe discuss the fulfillment of Hannah's prayer and her faithful response in dedicating Samuel back to God. Her actions demonstrate that true faith involves surrender and acknowledgment of God's lordship. This could inspire your audience to consider how they might dedicate their blessings back to God, trusting Him with outcomes and purposes beyond their understanding.

4. Praise through Proclamation

1 Samuel 2:1-11

You could reflect on Hannah's prayer of thanksgiving and worship, which shifts the focus from personal fulfillment to God's greatness and sovereignty. Her song ties her personal story to God's larger redemptive work, offering hope that God is at work even in trials. This could help your congregation see their own stories within God’s bigger narrative and to live with a heart of gratitude and worship.